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

[Kenneth]

Which is what, a player that's scored 26 goals in 43 Milan league games, and 20 in 54 Premier League games for Manchester City before that ?

A player who is able to play quick passing football, make runs for through balls etc. He's scored well in a podding Milan side who were quite obviously keen to get rid having slashed their asking price as the end of the window came closer.

[captainfog]

Which is what, a player that's scored 26 goals in 43 Milan league games, and 20 in 54 Premier League games for Manchester City before that ?

Or the player who scored 1 in his last 20 PL appearances?

I agree his numbers are generally pretty good though.

[Tatterdemalion]

A player who is able to play quick passing football, make runs for through balls etc. He's scored well in a podding Milan side who were quite obviously keen to get rid having slashed their asking price as the end of the window came closer.

So who are you talking about?
If you read between the lines it's pretty obvious that BR shaped the team to maximise the value he would get from suarez; ergo there's no reason to replace like for like, not that you could, but you haven't suggested a name.

[Kenneth]

I'm talking about Mario Balotelli mate.

[Tatterdemalion]

I'm talking about Mario Balotelli mate.

Obviously I mean which player would you have rather signed.

[RichC]

As someone who wasn't convinced before we bought him, have you seen anything to change that view since we bought him? We couldn't find another suarez, but we could have bought someone who fits our system, someone with good movement who doesn't necessitate us flinging in crosses galore.

I think he's got better as he's gone along for us, he's not perfect yet and far from it but the side is settling down and we're still trying to work out our best 11 coupled with missing Sturridge again.

His work rate against Everton was pretty decent and was unlucky not to score, we need Sturridge back and I think the two of them have the opportunity to work well together.

[G]

I wouldn't choose it myself but:
1) I think Suarez' impact on us was slightly (and I do mean slightly) over rated. We played well enough without him - I think our biggest problem this season is a lack of intensity (of which he was a part) and lots of new players

A good point. We always did do well when Suarez wasn't around so him being gone, while not helpful, certainly shouldn't be a death knell for this squad. The problem has been we lost Sturridge too and have had to replace him with someone who isn't as good as either of them yet at the same time as seemingly having a bit of an identity crisis while we implement the many new players we bought into the squad. Too many crosses because he's good in the air etc.

It needs more time and we need to go back to basics. Given a few months to show these lads how we work will hopefully sort the issue out and we'll get back to the fluidity we always had up front last season, regardless who played.

[rodo]

that prick barton was on the tele before the match talking slating him and said something like that he`s 24 now so not a kid and he is the same age as lakaku and look what he`s achieved ****in bellend

[G]

Serie A and Champions league winners medals? Didn't know Lukaku had more than those.

[Tatterdemalion]

that prick barton was on the tele before the match talking slating him and said something like that he`s 24 now so not a kid and he is the same age as lakaku and look what he`s achieved ****in bellend

I suppose we could all look at what Barton has achieved now that he's an old man.

But then again I don't have a microscope.

[Mark79]

I'm not sure how anyone could question his work rate from what we've seen so far, particularly yesterday.

He repeatedly ran back into midfield and defensive areas to win the ball back and put himself about throughout the game. And that bit near the end where he held of several players to work the ball down the their left before winning a free kick and a pat on the back from Henderson

He needs to improve in front of goal for sure but there's been nothing wrong with his work rate or attitude so far.

[Buzzo]

that prick barton was on the tele before the match talking slating him and said something like that he`s 24 now so not a kid and he is the same age as lakaku and look what he`s achieved ****in bellend

Yeah, I must have missed Lukakus league wins and getting on the bench in a CL final.

It does seem that teams featuring Balotelli managed to win the league with him in the squad despite him... 4 times.

I'm not saying he's been pulling up any trees yet (in the month he has been here), but to write him off already is ridiculous. His performances have been encouraging.


...Falcao's yet to score too, he looks fkn wank as well

[Buzzo]

calm down why you moaning like a woman.....of course he's been in sparkling form for us.. he'll be a rip roaring success,hope next time he gets a couple of tap in's he scores them

calm down

I'm just saying he deserves time.

[G]

Yeah, I must have missed Lukakus league wins and getting on the bench in a CL final.

It does seem that teams featuring Balotelli managed to win the league with him in the squad despite him... 4 times.

I'm not saying he's been pulling up any trees yet (in the month he has been here), but to write him off already is ridiculous. His performances have been encouraging.


...Falcao's yet to score too, he looks fkn wank as well

He has two assists though, well worth the 600 million they've paid him in wages so far

[RedReet]

Del