Mario Balotelli [On the Road to Ballon d'or)

[Trippendicular]

Careful now, with opinions like that you'll upset the delicate feelings of people.

Better tell Rodgers that.

[captainfog]

But he was rubbish before BR took this approach surely!?

Can i call you Surely ?

He's rubbish full stop and no amount of slagging off is going to change that. He's played well for 20 minutes, I hardly think that constitutes a massive win for Rodgers man management.

[Vermilion]

tbh, as far as bad publicity has gone for LFC before, deciding which player should have scored a winning goal isn't that bad a thing to be making the news..

[captainfog]

tbh, as far as bad publicity has gone for LFC before, deciding which player should have scored a winning goal isn't that bad a thing to be making the news..

We've had worse, that's for sure!

[Vermilion]

He's rubbish full stop and no amount of slagging off is going to change that. He's played well for 20 minutes, I hardly think that constitutes a massive win for Rodgers man management.

Agreed.

It's what BR said tbf.

But there has been a change in Marios attitude and effort, he's contributing now where before he wasn't, that's all there is to it.

Hence why BR felt the need to keep pushing, rather than heaping praise.

The only disagreement anyone seems to have is whether it should be done in public.

[Vermilion]

I also think it's a no lose situation from here on in, would be nice if Mario kept contributing.

But imo even if he didn't play another game for us, we'd still get 10mill for him, with this new tv deal and the money washing around, it means smaller clubs can afford him, and there will always be managers that think their approach will bring the best out of what is still, a young footballer.

Or ones just willing to take a chance for whatever reason, publicity of attracting a star name whatever? i just don't think we'll have as big a problem getting rid as some may think.

[BobTheCharmer]

I would like Mario to become our number one forward.

[SB]

I would like Mario to become our number one forward.

So you want to sell Sturridge & Sterling yeah?

[BobTheCharmer]

So you want to sell Sturridge & Sterling yeah?

Depends. Ideally I'd like them both to play with Mario and forge the most feared attack in the land.

[SB]

Depends. Ideally I'd like them both to play with Mario and forge the most feared attack in the land.

We can but dream. I'd be super happy if that happened.

[dom9]

****house comments from Rodgers. AGAIN. Just shut up.

I don't see the need for Brendan to say all this in the press. That said as with Mignolet it seems to have the desired results, it just seems unprofessional. Surely the same result could be achieved without talking about it all to the media?

Publicly slating players is way out of order in my opinion.

That's a horrible way to treat someone.

I've lost a lot of respect for Rodgers this season due to among other things the way he has treated Mario. In adversity I've seen a side to him that I haven't liked.

I have absolutely no problem at all with Brendan's management of Mario.

Everyone is different. Everyone needs managing differently. Some people need the cliched arm around the shoulder, others need to be continually booted up the arse.

I prefer to look at the outcomes rather than the methods. Pretty much every player that Brendan has given public critique about has come back much improved, working harder and more productive.

If the manager thinks that Mario could improve further, and he's not reaching his potential, then that is fine with me.

[dom9]

Agreed.

It's what BR said tbf.

But there has been a change in Marios attitude and effort, he's contributing now where before he wasn't, that's all there is to it.

Hence why BR felt the need to keep pushing, rather than heaping praise.

The only disagreement anyone seems to have is whether it should be done in public.

I'm hapy for it be in public.

There's too many mollycoddled, spoilt footballers. Give them a public bollocking and see if they pull their socks up.

You know what, they often do.

[Lee]

I have absolutely no problem at all with Brendan's management of Mario.

Everyone is different. Everyone needs managing differently. Some people need the cliched arm around the shoulder, others need to be continually booted up the arse.

I prefer to look at the outcomes rather than the methods. Pretty much every player that Brendan has given public critique about has come back much improved, working harder and more productive.

If the manager thinks that Mario could improve further, and he's not reaching his potential, then that is fine with me.

[I, Ravel Morrison]

Seconded. Considering Balotelli's recent performances what Rodgers said was harsh but it's clearly considered and calculated and not said on a spiteful whim. I think someone like Balotelli needs a fire to be lit under his arse. He's coasting because he has it made. Money and fame, he has it all. He doesn't seem to be a player who's motivated to be number one.

[Marina]

Could be a master stroke. Either Balotelli gets upset and starts being **** again and Rodgers looks totally justified for his comments. Or he starts working and putting in a consistent shift and Rodgers looks a genius man manager. I personally like Balotelli a lot and hope he finds an enduring place at LFC.