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

[spud_gun]

I don't think i've been as disappointed in a signing for us in a long, long time.

The main issue i have is his apparent lack of effort. If he was running around for 90 minutes giving his absolute all whilst still not scoring then i think he'd get some leeway.

Think Crouch and his barren spell after he signed for us. Couldn't hit a barn door with a banjo for the best part of 4 months but still received support from the vast majority of fans.

Balotelli on the other hand seems totally disinterested. There's nothing positive about having him in the team at the moment.

He's already admitted that he doesn't think he's suited to playing as a lone striker. That's all very well and good but if your gaffer tells you that you're going to play as a lone striker that's what you do. You put your all into every game.

[Mark79]

He's been ****e against QPR but are we really playing to his strengths? Disjointed midfield, barely a team-mate within 30 yards of him and lots of aimless pumped balls out from defense.

This is true. But even when he has had team mates in support he's still shot tamely or wastefully. He's also missed a lot of very good scoring chances now aswell, regardless of the team set up.

[cream]

really? why?

Unlikely they would have found the back of the net. Absolute dog**** today.

[Zapater]

Everyone always says he looks disinterested. Every game I've seen him play since he played for Inter he looks like that. I'm not really sure how players appear to 'look' is relevant when signing a player.

He isn't doing well at the moment, but we knew what we were getting. If anything he has been more of a 'team player' for us than we he's generally been with other teams. Other than the missed chances, nothing that he's done since he's signed has surprised me.

[Roboklopp]

Summed him up for me when we scored through the Dunne own goal and he didn't even celebrate cos it wasn't his goal. Plays for himself, not the team.

[Reece]

Summed him up for me when we scored through the Dunne own goal and he didn't even celebrate cos it wasn't his goal. Plays for himself, not the team.

Not sure that's something to judge him on as he barely celebrates when he does score himself

[Zapater]

Not sure that's something to judge him on as he barely celebrates when he does score himself

[Daniel 7]

He was pumped up when he scored against Ludogorets.

[Roboklopp]

He did the once he did for us.

[G]

He's scored a few worldie's in training though, we even had tweets about them! Shame he's ****e when it matters.

[Maxiedge]

Even for the first goal, head down, back to play. Very clever ploy

I've mentioned it here a few times but it keeps happening...always 'slips' at the vital moment. I don't want to sound OCD about it but it's starting to get to me a bit

[Reece]

I was excited with this signing but I'm getting frustrated with his pot shots and obviously that miss today

However, and maybe it's just blind optimism, but I still think if he can get a couple of goals under his belt in the league then when may see the best of him yet.

[gentingfrmhell]

The bench is where he belongs

[G]

Sean Dundee will be gutted, his status as worst ever forward for us is under serious threat.

[BootRoom]

Lambert's got it in the bag.