Mario Balotelli

[Whirly]

We did it for short bursts? We were the second highest scorers, smashing our previous records, destroying some good teams in 30 minute spells. "We looked awful the rest of the time", seriously WTF?

We played scintillating football and had most people congratulating us on our style. It's not rewriting history, sometimes I swear you act cynical and exaggerate your points for the sake of it.

We looked great on the counter attack, especially against top sides who were chasing the game. But it's easy to forget how many lower table sides controlled possession and created numerous chances against us for long stretches of the game, only for us to win with some unsustainable magic.

We transitioned away from the meaningless possession to incisive counter attacks, but that inherently meant that we were on the back foot for a lot of matches. The difference of course being that last year we took our chances.

Does anybody remember us barely eeking by Norwich, City, West Ham, or Sunderland down the stretch of last season? Because we largely looked tame in those games, and often vulnerable.

 

[Mamma Mia]

We looked great on the counter attack, especially against top sides who were chasing the game. But it's easy to forget how many lower table sides controlled possession and created numerous chances against us for long stretches of the game, only for us to win with some unsustainable magic.

We transitioned away from the meaningless possession to incisive counter attacks, but that inherently meant that we were on the back foot for a lot of matches. The difference of course being that last year we took our chances.

Does anybody remember us barely eeking by Norwich, City, West Ham, or Sunderland down the stretch of last season? Because we largely looked tame in those games, and often vulnerable.

I may be mistaking you for another poster, but you started following the club relatively recently right?

Not that I think it would lessen the weight of your opinions, but it would explain your frame of reference when it comes to us being awful.

 

[Whirly]

I may be mistaking you for another poster, but you started following the club relatively recently right?

Not that I think it would lessen the weight of your opinions, but it would explain your frame of reference when it cos to us being awful.

You are correct.

I'm not saying it wasn't a marked improvement on years past, I'm just saying that people are having very selective memories on the good points of last season.

Looking back on our fixture list in the second half of last season, there's an incredible number of narrow victories, alongside smashing top sides.

1 goal wins and draws in the second half of last season: Villa, West Brom, Fulham, Swansea, Sunderland, West Ham, City, Norwich, Crystal Palace, Newcastle.

Not to mention the heart attack games against Stoke and Cardiff.

That's a lot of games we were fortunate to get the points that we did.

 

[HC]

Hes gonna score 2 this weekend and shut the lot of you up

 

[Jack D Rips]

You are correct.

I'm not saying it wasn't a marked improvement on years past, I'm just saying that people are having very selective memories on the good points of last season.

Looking back on our fixture list in the second half of last season, there's an incredible number of narrow victories, alongside smashing top sides.

1 goal wins and draws in the second half of last season: Villa, West Brom, Fulham, Swansea, Sunderland, West Ham, City, Norwich, Crystal Palace, Newcastle.

Not to mention the heart attack games against Stoke and Cardiff.

That's a lot of games we were fortunate to get the points that we did.

I was at the Swansea game. I think you should move it to the "heart attack" category.

 

[Whirly]

I was at the Swansea game. I think you should move it to the "heart attack" category.

I think most of those games in the first group also belong in the heart attack category.

 

[Delinquent]

I think Balotelli is struggling due to
a) lack of cohesion with new teammates
b) over eagerness to prove himself
c) poor service
d) playing by himself most of the time

I think he'll start improving when Studge returns ...

The problem with that is that we needed the striker we signed this summer to be able to fill the void when Sturridge is injured. If he's not capable of doing that then he's an utterly pointless buy, because we don't really need him when Sturridge is fit.

 

[Frogfish]

A fair few stories knocking around today that we've "agreed" a deal for January with Benzema. Probably bollocks but it's a link that won't go away.

Originating from The Star it seems. Enough said.

 

[moron]

Looking at his record - and the way he plays he is actually shit and a pointless buy that does not fit our system in any way. I think he lazy and slow to react to games and i conclude that his rep is based on behaviour and the cameras wanting to pick up on some shit he may do but on occasions he has fluked some wonder goal and unfortunately people think he some special talent. He should have scored more than the one goal he has done in open play if he was ever a decent striker. Those of you that defend him are fucking deluded - this is another morientes or worse.

 

[mom]

What a shit post. Doesn't deserve the time taken to explain why. Good grief.

 

[Spencer]

Anyone know how reliable this Musker guy is?

Rickie Lambert is set to start his first Premier League game for Liverpol, in place of Mario Balotelli.

 

[tomasjj]

Singled out for public criticism by his manager, pointed out he was the last turkey in the shop(not my fault, like), then benched?
Outstanding man-management by the looks of it.

Come of the bench and win it then, Mario ya tit.

 

[Rafiagra]

Downing was in paper slagging off Brendan for publicly criticising him.

Remember in Balotelli's debut v spurs, a pundit saying that Rodgers would get best out of him as he needed unwavering support and faith. Be interesting to see how he responds.

 

[Mystic]

I hope this isn't the start of the big Balotelli fall out.

 

[ctlovesred]

It's a bit silly that we're all afraid of this blowing up, when this is part and parcel of any professional's life. 🙁

 

[OLD_Lewy]

dont see the problem, his form hasn't been good enough so we give another player the chance

 

[Glen C]

Balotelli hasn't been good enough and doesn't work hard enough on the pitch to make the team today. No one can say he deserves to be in the team.

 

[Mors]

I've got to say, his shooting accuracy is fantastic. When he does get a shot off it's pretty rarely off target, even from free kicks.

 

[Fabio]

Looked very good when he came on

 

[Mystic]

He did, he looked good in the first 30 minutes against Basel as well though, I think he drifts out of the game after a while if not much is happening, starts trying to hard to force things. His performance today was exactly what we needed, and I can't wait to see he and Sturridge get a few games in a front two together.

 

[Fabio]

What one noticed is he drifts or when he gets no service.

Lot of the way we played the first few games with him read long ball for him to trap and lay off.

Today we actually played to his feet

 

[localny]

He did well. Lovely touches, and it will come.

Brendan has dropped a player that played a lot of games. Could be rotation but the manager can't be throwing him under le bus

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Yes we won so there will be that renewed sense of optimism, and every player will have that +1 bonus point. Understandably.
But let's have some perspective.

He's still nowhere near breaking his duck. He looks like he's willing to put in the effort now but it's still painfully obvious that he doesn't know where and when to make those runs.

He's got helluva of a shot on him tho', I'll give him that but he needs to know when to shoot and when to pass. Case in point - that lovely 1-2 with Stevie when he should be chipping to play an on-rushing Stevie into the box. Instead he chose to shoot instead. Nothing wrong with that decision, but the wiser decision would be to continue the 1-2. It'll take time to get it right, but I'm not sure if time's on his side.

I think his life will be a whole lot easier when Studge's back. Mario needs a partner, his game doesn't suit us in a lone striker role.

 

[Fabio]

He's still nowhere near breaking his duck. He looks like he's willing to put in the effort now but it's still painfully obvious that he doesn't know where and when to make those runs.

I just can't agree with this. It's not up for him to change when he makes his runs (which he DOES do), it's up to our midfield to learn when he'll make the run.

Friday he could have been picked out a few times making a run, but the pass was delayed due no valid reason

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Well it depends on how you see the game should be played really.

Is Mario worth re-shaping the way we play by playing to his strengths which will mean all that hard work last year will need some re-jigging again ? Or should he learn to adapt to our playing style instead ?

I guess it's a tough one really. 'Cos he CAN score goals to devastating effect, when played to his strengths.

Once again, I think all these doubts will lessen once Studge's back and both of them start banging them goals for fun again. The Spurs game was an encouraging sign that it could work out well.

 

[Fabio]

Well it depends on how you see the game should be played really.

Is Mario worth re-shaping the way we play by playing to his strengths which will mean all that hard work last year will need some re-jigging again ? Or should he learn to adapt to our playing style instead ?

I guess it's a tough one really. 'Cos he CAN score goals to devastating effect, when played to his strengths.

Our midfield is used to playing with a Suarez type, they need to adapt because Mario cannot become that player.

It's pointless persisting with a setup designed to get the best out of Suarez. We need to utilise what we have now

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

I've edited my post.

 

[Fabio]

I've no doubt Sturridge coming back will help

 

[Frogfish]

 

[LeTallecWiz]

@Frogfish - he started with a bang at AC Milan ... but he struggled big time since the hot start ... I think it will be the opposite with him here ... Yes, I'm still one of the optimistic.