On the eve of another important game

[OliverHardy]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1342007/Manchester-City-forward-Mario-Balotelli-homesick-Italy-doesnt-like-England.html

Yesterday, another 'exclusive', seemingly with the aim of unsettling the squad. One really does start to wonder if the timing of these stories is purely coincidental, or an orchestrated ploy to derail our challenge for success. It is getting both tedious and frustrating.

[john@staustell]

I normally agree with you on the press conspiracy thing Ollie (although it is improving) but this Dzeko signing is more or less common knowledge, or the ITKs have buggered up bigtime. It's also common knowledge that we need another striker to go with Tevez and Balotelli, who we wont see the best of until next season. RSC, Ade and Jo need not apply.

Still room for Torres!

[OliverHardy]

Sorry mate I posted the wrong url. Have changed it now, it's the one about mario wanting out

[Im_Spartacus]

Sorry mate I posted the wrong url. Have changed it now, it's the one about mario wanting out

Its hardly unsettling - and its hardly news, he said he wants to play for Milan, and by all accounts has been dropped anyway.

The sideshow around that kid invites divisive reporting, hope we can hang onto him until he starts to play to his potential but it just seems like too much trouble.

[john@staustell]

I think with Mario what you see is what you get. You just have to get to accept it. My hope is that next season he will be immense for us. These stories always followed him around Italy - allegdedly he couldn't wait to get out because of the racism, and Morinho, and this, and that and the other. That's just the way it is.

I hope he will play today because he has the chance to knock a few in.

[marvin]

This is what can happen when a player is set-up by the media and the weakness is ruthlessly exploited by opposition players and managers.

If you watch Balotelli away games almost every time he makes a bad challenge, his opponent will go to the ground, exagerate any injury whilst his team mates implore a willing ref to book him. Many similar examples

City fans can respond instead of joining in the criticism.

[john@staustell]

This is what can happen when a player is set-up by the media and the weakness is ruthlessly exploited by opposition players and managers.

If you watch Balotelli away games almost every time he makes a bad challenge, his opponent will go to the ground, exagerate any injury whilst his team mates implore a willing ref to book him. Many similar examples

City fans can respond instead of joining in the criticism.

Very well said Marvin

[walmai]

The story's in the Grauni too.

Frankly, if he doesn't associate with team-mates and has leave to return home (to Italy) as and when he has any time off, its an unusual state of affairs.

He doesn't seem to me to be one to be spending too long in the Prem, but I don't read these reports as direct efforts to destabilise your club. People at heart are envious of all of the money being spent, so they will read stories implying all is not well.