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

[BobTheCharmer]

He isn't Bob he's ****.

He really isn't.

[Boogs]

He isn't Bob he's ****.

He's an Italian international player he's not '****'.
He's not playing in a formation that gets the best out of him due to other injuries to other players. To close an argument just offering the excuse of being **** doesn't really offer much to the discussion.

[Norbs]

I'd rather we start Lambert up top against Leicester.

Balotelli is a better player than he's shown so far, but he's been muck for us and I see no reason to start him against Leicester.

[RedReet]

I'd rather we start Lambert up top against Leicester.

Balotelli is a better player than he's shown so far, but he's been muck for us and I see no reason to start him against Leicester.

Sterling does need a rest and I think the form of Coutinho & Allen would be enough to see off Leicester regardless of who we play up front, but that being said, I'd rather secure the 3 points first then give Sterling a rest for 9 days before our next PL game.

[baitman]

i reckon balotelli would be more than happy to never have to run more than five yards, and total movement of ten yards at a maximum.

so long as everyone else is supplying him with the bullets he will try a few pot shots from around the box, or if inside the box and someone should brush past him he will go down faster than a [insert joke here].

a big name, a big ego, but he stinks.

[BobTheCharmer]

i reckon balotelli would be more than happy to never have to run more than five yards, and total movement of ten yards at a maximum.

so long as everyone else is supplying him with the bullets he will try a few pot shots from around the box, or if inside the box and someone should brush past him he will go down faster than a [insert joke here].

a big name, a big ego, but he stinks.

yeah course he would.

[Lee]

Sterling does need a rest and I think the form of Coutinho & Allen would be enough to see off Leicester regardless of who we play up front, but that being said, I'd rather secure the 3 points first then give Sterling a rest for 9 days before our next PL game.

Agree that Sterling needs a rest mate.

Is Allen fit?

We definitely have options but I'm not convinced that Balotelli is a wise one at the moment.

It's got to click for him at some point though. Surely.

[dww]

I'd rather we start Lambert up top against Leicester.

Balotelli is a better player than he's shown so far, but he's been muck for us and I see no reason to start him against Leicester.

I can see that argument. I guess it comes down to rewarding consistency and effort or hoping to get the maximum quality on the pitch. I do think we need to give Mario more chances in a functioning team but agree that Lambert probably deserves the opportunity more.

[Lee]

I can see that argument. I guess it comes down to rewarding consistency and effort or hoping to get the maximum quality on the pitch. I do think we need to give Mario more chances in a functioning team but agree that Lambert probably deserves the opportunity more.

Yeah definitely.

I don't think we're in a position to stick Balotelli in the team in the hope that he's suddenly going to start producing the goods. Lambert hasn't been great either but he contributes more than Mario.

I'd see out January and if Balotelli is still here then I'd bring him back into the team once Sturridge is back.

[dww]

i reckon balotelli would be more than happy to never have to run more than five yards, and total movement of ten yards at a maximum.

so long as everyone else is supplying him with the bullets he will try a few pot shots from around the box, or if inside the box and someone should brush past him he will go down faster than a [insert joke here].

a big name, a big ego, but he stinks.

I do think sometimes that like Berbatov he gets overly criticised for his lack of perceived effort when he makes up for not running so much with intelligent movement. For us he has been out of sync with the team AND we rely on players closing and running which has made him a very poor fit. I think he looks worse than he has been though and believe he has more to offer than we have got out of him thus far.

[baitman]

I do think sometimes that like Berbatov he gets overly criticised for his lack of perceived effort when he makes up for not running so much with intelligent movement. For us he has been out of sync with the team AND we rely on players closing and running which has made him a very poor fit. I think he looks worse than he has been though and believe he has more to offer than we have got out of him thus far.

the lack of perceived work rate of berbatov is a fair comparison. the main difference is that berbatov [even at fulham] would often play like a midfielder and take the ball from the defence and play to the wingers. he wouldnt bust a gut to get on the end of the first ball into the box but a sloooow jog would occasionally see him pick up the cleared ball and then help keep the attack alive. his input was often minimal, but often decisive.

[Slinky Skills]

He really isn't.

He's an Italian international player he's not '****'.
He's not playing in a formation that gets the best out of him due to other injuries to other players. To close an argument just offering the excuse of being **** doesn't really offer much to the discussion.

Ok.

I've mentioned countless times since he's started for us how poor he's been but I will list them one final time seen as I'm not contributing to the discussion.

1) He's lazy and never tracks back
2) His attitude stinks
3) He offers zero movement on and off the ball
4) He shoots on pretty much every given occasion, often from 30-40 yards away knowing full well that he's never going to score
5) He's selfish and very rarely thinks of playing the pass
6) His awareness is poor
7) He's a bellend in his social life and creates problems for himself and the club
8) He's a fairy and goes down at the slightest touch clutching a leg that hasn't even been clipped
9) His hair is ****

I'm sorry guys. I know you both like him and I hope he can turn things around but he won't. Honestly feel free to quote this post if he does but I can absolutely guarantee you that he won't.

Was expecting more from him but he's been a massive let down.

[G]

Berbatov scored goals though so you could at least forgive his lack of work rate and until Balotelli starts doing the same he'll be looked on unfavourably . he doesn't have a terrific scoring record, his season in Milan resulted in a goal every 2 games on average so that's his best one, he's never been prolific by any stretch. People can forgive that if they see the effort but I don't see it with him and never have.

[Vermilion]

Ok.

I've mentioned countless times since he's started for us how poor he's been but I will list them one final time seen as I'm not contributing to the discussion.

1) He's lazy and never tracks back
2) His attitude stinks
3) He offers zero movement on and off the ball
4) He shoots on pretty much every given occasion, often from 30-40 yards away knowing full well that he's never going to score
5) He's selfish and very rarely thinks of playing the pass
6) His awareness is poor
7) He's a bellend in his social life and creates problems for himself and the club
8) He's a fairy and goes down at the slightest touch clutching a leg that hasn't even been clipped
9) His hair is ****

I'm sorry guys. I know you both like him and I hope he can turn things around but he won't. Honestly feel free to quote this post if he does but I can absolutely guarantee you that he won't.

Was expecting more from him but he's been a massive let down.

You call that a list! You don't stop a list at 9 Slinks, surely you could have thought of one more thing he's been **** at ?

10: **** at Firework safety.

There.

[Slinky Skills]

You call that a list! You don't stop a list at 9 Slinks, surely you could have thought of one more thing he's been **** at ?

10: **** at Firework safety.

There.

That's included under point number 7 already mate.

But thanks anyway.