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

[kev776]

I am very surprised at how many other people are surprised at how bad he has been. Everybody knew how bad he was before he came, he is playing to type, exactly how he has always played.

Same attitude on the field, same lack of movement, lack of work rate.

Not even new-age hippy Trainers like BR can polish a turd. Every trainer has tried and failed to change him because he does exactly what it says on the tin.

Get rid, play Borini (movement) and Lambert (holdup play and occasional shot) until Sturridge is fit. Two up top please.

[Trippendicular]

If you consider going from a complete liability to an aimless passenger an improvement then yeah, I suppose so.

For a 24yr old international striker who has championship medals from several of Europe's biggest leagues it still is nowhere near good enough. And, on the evidence of his career so far up to this point, it never will be, which ultimately is my problem. Even if he starts putting the sitters in the net, everything else he does isn't good enough for our club. I simply think he's a bit ****, I always did when he was at City and I can't get past that; not one single monent so far in a red shirt has suggested anything otherwise to me.

Aspas gets lambasted for being useless by absolutely everyone, but I'm not sure he got the minutes in a whole season that Balotelli has for us in 2 months. I honestly don't know who I'd rather have. I do know however that I don't get why Mario is playing ahead of Lambert, and I most certainly wouldn't waste a place on him playing 2 up top when Sturridge gets fit.

It baffles me how much leeway people are willing to give Balotelli off name alone. Imagine if Borini had gone the first 9 league games of the season without scoring, people would be calling for his head.

[Norbs]

I don't like him but also want him to start scoring for obvious reasons.

[Yozza]

Could be worse...

[ame="http://youtu.be/KtIJ0R5b7-I"]Awer Mabil Miss of the Season (A League 2014) - YouTube[/ame]

[kev776]

Same hair as his dad, Mario.

[captainfog]

If you consider going from a complete liability to an aimless passenger an improvement then yeah, I suppose so.

For a 24yr old international striker who has championship medals from several of Europe's biggest leagues it still is nowhere near good enough. And, on the evidence of his career so far up to this point, it never will be, which ultimately is my problem. Even if he starts putting the sitters in the net, everything else he does isn't good enough for our club. I simply think he's a bit ****, I always did when he was at City and I can't get past that; not one single monent so far in a red shirt has suggested anything otherwise to me.

Aspas gets lambasted for being useless by absolutely everyone, but I'm not sure he got the minutes in a whole season that Balotelli has for us in 2 months. I honestly don't know who I'd rather have. I do know however that I don't get why Mario is playing ahead of Lambert, and I most certainly wouldn't waste a place on him playing 2 up top when Sturridge gets fit.

I don't think you'll get the best out of Sturridge playing him on his own, so for that reason alone I would start Balo next to him.

[kev776]

Rather start Lambert next to Sturridge, his link up play is much better.

[kingfunk]

Rather start Lambert next to Sturridge, his link up play is much better.

Aye, I think all the people believing the return of Studge is going to solve the Balotelli problem are going to be disappointed.
I cannot think of a worse pairing, two selfish strikers who are going to grate off each other, they won't get on due their inherit selfishness in front of goal. There will be enormous amounts of hip holding, head shaking and pointing to where we all know the ball should have been played.

[wiw]

May be wishful thinking, but after the crowd applauded Balotelli chasing back and making a tackle, and especially after they sung his name, I thought he visibly grew in confidence and started playing a bit better. Underneath it all he seems like a lost little boy who's confidence is at an all time low.
Also when Lambert came on it gave him someone to link up with. Now don't get me wrong he still wasn't up to par, but it's improvement. To me I think he works best where he has players in front of him and around him. First half Sterling and Lallana were nowhere near him, and which midfielder was he going to link up with, Allen? Can? No chance. With that in mind I'd say the midfield and general wankness of our team is as much to blame as Mario.

[baitman]

I am very surprised at how many other people are surprised at how bad he has been. Everybody knew how bad he was before he came, he is playing to type, exactly how he has always played.

Same attitude on the field, same lack of movement, lack of work rate.

Not even new-age hippy Trainers like BR can polish a turd. Every trainer has tried and failed to change him because he does exactly what it says on the tin.

Get rid, play Borini (movement) and Lambert (holdup play and occasional shot) until Sturridge is fit. Two up top please.

Rather start Lambert next to Sturridge, his link up play is much better.

[Pablo]

May be wishful thinking, but after the crowd applauded Balotelli chasing back and making a tackle, and especially after they sung his name, I thought he visibly grew in confidence and started playing a bit better. Underneath it all he seems like a lost little boy who's confidence is at an all time low.
Also when Lambert came on it gave him someone to link up with. Now don't get me wrong he still wasn't up to par, but it's improvement. To me I think he works best where he has players in front of him and around him. First half Sterling and Lallana were nowhere near him, and which midfielder was he going to link up with, Allen? Can? No chance. With that in mind I'd say the midfield and general wankness of our team is as much to blame as Mario.

Every single player in the world needs confidence, especially strikers. His confidence is absolutely shot. For once I felt sorry for him at the final whistle as he was clearly distraught. In his own (very special) way he is giving it his all, it's just not working out for him.

I thought he came to life when we played with two strikers. For me now the decision is to either play two up top or take him out of the team entirely.

[baitman]

... For me now the decision is to either play two up top or take him out of the team entirely.

this isnt about doing whats best for mario. he might get a bit better given time, but all the while we will be sliding further down the U bend of mediocrity just to help mario through his barren spell.

sorry, but this isnt an experiment in confidence building and social working for depressed footballers.

[Pablo]

this isnt about doing whats best for mario. he might get a bit better given time, but all the while we will be sliding further down the U bend of mediocrity just to help mario through his barren spell.

sorry, but this isnt an experiment in confidence building and social working for depressed footballers.

Wasn't suggesting it was. Was merely stating that if we continue to play him he needs a partner to perform. We only want whats best for him as it will help Liverpool football club. Playing him on his on up front is an exercise in futility and is only hurting him and the team.

For the record I'd drop him entirely and would play without a recognised striker. I think it would bring some much needed movement and creativity back into the team. Lallana, Sterling and Coutinho in particular seem to have a natural chemistry which I'd like to see more of.

[baitman]

no probs Pabs. it just sounded like you were burning a candle for him in a little home made shrine

drop him. play lambo and borini [can brendan ever get over himself] in the cup and see how they do. borini can press when we havent got the ball, lambo can hold it up and play others in when we do get it.

[Pablo]

no probs Pabs. it just sounded like you were burning a candle for him in a little home made shrine

drop him. play lambo and borini [can brendan ever get over himself] in the cup and see how they do. borini can press when we havent got the ball, lambo can hold it up and play others in when we do get it.

Trust me if I was building bombfire I'd be dangerously close to making him my Guy Fawkes right about now. Can't stand watching him play.

I show a moment of weakness and now I'm his number one fan

I don't get this play Borini thing either, he's also woefully short of the standard we need. I'd rather play someone like Sterling as a striker until Sturridge is back.