***Official Balo Watch Thread***

[aaron bond]

Nice Balotelli article (for a change)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ity-fa-cup

Great article, and I think next season both him and Dzeko will look completely different players. Balo is really becoming a true City fan (as well as player). Showing up at reserve games, staying late after practice (according to Doug), and getting along with the whole team. I think even this season he's matured a lot. It would be silly to invest so much time and patience in such a player without waiting to see the rewards (and there will be plenty). His family and friends are even moving over here!

Yep - great article. The club seem to be pushing Mario into the spotlight recently on their own terms so people can get to know him a bit better. His performances on the pitch have been improving over the season and he seems to getting on well with players too. The stage is set for him in the next 2 games to really show his worth.

He has done some silly things over the season but I think he has had a good first season and is only going to get better. He can turn good into a great season by scoring the winner in the games this Tuesday and Saturday!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice Balotelli article (for a change)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ity-fa-cup

Great article, and I think next season both him and Dzeko will look completely different players. Balo is really becoming a true City fan (as well as player). Showing up at reserve games, staying late after practice (according to Doug), and getting along with the whole team. I think even this season he's matured a lot. It would be silly to invest so much time and patience in such a player without waiting to see the rewards (and there will be plenty). His family and friends are even moving over here!

A true Cty fan is pushing it a bit don't you think? Staying late after practice is what I expect from players rather than it meaning they are becoming City fans.If that were the case Joe Hart and Milner must be massive fans.Balotelli just seems to love kicking a ball around and playing football.When he stays behind it's hard to tell whether it's for a specific practice reason or just that he can't be bothered to go inside.

I would say he has settled in quite well and does seem to get on with the players.He has matured a bit no doubt but on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being a mature person he will be up to 2 now so a long long way to go.

Let's just wait and see how he performs on the pitch which is really what it's all about. So far,after an initial impact, he has been very quiet and basically done nothing much for a long time.Along wih Dzeko we must hope for a lot more next season when they have settled even more and maybe the team approach will be a bit different to make the most of their talents

[bigblue]

Nice Balotelli article (for a change)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ity-fa-cup

Great article, and I think next season both him and Dzeko will look completely different players. Balo is really becoming a true City fan (as well as player). Showing up at reserve games, staying late after practice (according to Doug), and getting along with the whole team. I think even this season he's matured a lot. It would be silly to invest so much time and patience in such a player without waiting to see the rewards (and there will be plenty). His family and friends are even moving over here!

A true Cty fan is pushing it a bit don't you think? Staying late after practice is what I expect from players rather than it meaning they are becoming City fans.If that were the case Joe Hart and Milner must be massive fans.Balotelli just seems to love kicking a ball around and playing football.When he stays behind it's hard to tell whether it's for a specific practice reason or just that he can't be bothered to go inside.

I would say he has settled in quite well and does seem to get on with the players.He has matured a bit no doubt but on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being a mature person he will be up to 2 now so a long long way to go.

Let's just wait and see how he performs on the pitch which is really what it's all about. So far,after an initial impact, he has been very quiet and basically done nothing much for a long time.Along wih Dzeko we must hope for a lot more next season when they have settled even more and maybe the team approach will be a bit different to make the most of their talents

Yeah, I'm probably being a tad optimistic. But also throw in the story of harassing shrek's hooker into the mix too. Hes fucked up quite a bit, but paying for players his age is always an investment. And by investment, I mean you have to look at the long-term return (same as making an investment in a house or mutual fund). There may be temporary hiccups in the short-term, but the net result over time is positive.

And its not just money, but also time. We have put a year into developing him mentally, into the English league and City system. Ditching him now would mean that we would have to put that same time into a player of similar age and hope for the best. We've got an incredible talent and laid the foundation for success, now let him return the favor

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice Balotelli article (for a change)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ity-fa-cup

Great article, and I think next season both him and Dzeko will look completely different players. Balo is really becoming a true City fan (as well as player). Showing up at reserve games, staying late after practice (according to Doug), and getting along with the whole team. I think even this season he's matured a lot. It would be silly to invest so much time and patience in such a player without waiting to see the rewards (and there will be plenty). His family and friends are even moving over here!

A true Cty fan is pushing it a bit don't you think? Staying late after practice is what I expect from players rather than it meaning they are becoming City fans.If that were the case Joe Hart and Milner must be massive fans.Balotelli just seems to love kicking a ball around and playing football.When he stays behind it's hard to tell whether it's for a specific practice reason or just that he can't be bothered to go inside.

I would say he has settled in quite well and does seem to get on with the players.He has matured a bit no doubt but on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being a mature person he will be up to 2 now so a long long way to go.

Let's just wait and see how he performs on the pitch which is really what it's all about. So far,after an initial impact, he has been very quiet and basically done nothing much for a long time.Along wih Dzeko we must hope for a lot more next season when they have settled even more and maybe the team approach will be a bit different to make the most of their talents

Yeah, I'm probably being a tad optimistic. But also throw in the story of harassing shrek's hooker into the mix too. Hes fucked up quite a bit, but paying for players his age is always an investment. And by investment, I mean you have to look at the long-term return (same as making an investment in a house or mutual fund). There may be temporary hiccups in the short-term, but the net result over time is positive.

And its not just money, but also time. We have put a year into developing him mentally, into the English league and City system. Ditching him now would mean that we would have to put that same time into a player of similar age and hope for the best. We've got an incredible talent and laid the foundation for success, now let him return the favor

What you are saying is that it's a gamble ( that's what investments are) and time will tell whether it's a good one.

I don't see what the relevance of Shrek's hooker is though.Nothing to do with football and that's all I am bothered about.

[Blue Since 76]

Tevez was terrible till about February when he joined West Ham. In Drogba's first season here, his second touch was a header or a tackle. Ronaldo was a show pony who got nowhere and Nani was a poor imitation of him. Even Kompany and de jong got grief in their first season by fans here.

Let's hope Balotelli and Dzeko show the same improvement.

[craigmcfc]

Thanks Lee, really enjoyed that article and he came across well

[Chinners]

A day in the life ...
http://www.mcfc.co.uk/News/Team-news/20 ... ay-in-pics

[dazby]

I've really warmed to him since the fa cup semi. I get the feeling he's going to do something spectacularly good in the next couple of games.

[Original Dub]

Tevez was terrible till about February when he joined West Ham. In Drogba's first season here, his second touch was a header or a tackle. Ronaldo was a show pony who got nowhere and Nani was a poor imitation of him. Even Kompany and de jong got grief in their first season by fans here.

Let's hope Balotelli and Dzeko show the same improvement.

Of course mate, it makes perfect sense to have patience, but some have already made their mind up.

[Lee_R]

http://menmedia.co.uk/manchesterevening ... -red-light

If he gets banned is this going to stop his 'progress'?.. could see him wanting to move back abroad where he wouldnt be banned.

[carl_feedthegoat]

MARIO BALOTELLI should get a Heart of Gold from ESTHER RANTZEN.
The Manchester City star helped a young autograph hunter being picked on at school - by confronting the bully himself.

The striker questioned why the young lad was playing truant with his mum outside the club's Carrington training ground rather than attending school.

After the fan revealed that he was being bullied, Mario drove the youngster and his mum over to the school in question and demanded a meeting with the headteacher.

The Blues ace got the youngster to confess what had been happening and made him identify the culprit. The lads eventually shook hands before Mario got into his white Maserati and sped off.

A source said: "Mario feels strongly about bullying and thinks it's out of order.

"He had no qualms about sorting the mess out as he felt the lad should not be missing out on school."

If you were the bullied lad's mum, please get in contact.

Esther might not be available to present hero Mario with his award...

[Lee_R]

LMFAO Is that real or what?

[craigmcfc]

LMFAO Is that real or what?

Anybody else I would say a definite no, but that sounds EXACTLY like our Mario

[Douglas Higginbottom]

LMFAO Is that real or what?

Anybody else I would say a definite no, but that sounds EXACTLY like our Mario

100% not true imo. I was told the exact same story last year about Bellers. Maybe true maybe not then but this time with Bellers you have to be joking.

[craigmcfc]

LMFAO Is that real or what?

Anybody else I would say a definite no, but that sounds EXACTLY like our Mario

100% not true imo. I was told the exact same story last year about Bellers. Maybe true maybe not then but this time with Bellers you have to be joking.

It could well be made up but of all our current players it fits Marios' style perfectly

[Douglas Higginbottom]

LMFAO Is that real or what?

Anybody else I would say a definite no, but that sounds EXACTLY like our Mario

100% not true imo. I was told the exact same story last year about Bellers. Maybe true maybe not then but this time with Bellers you have to be joking.

It could well be made up but of all our current players it fits Marios' style perfectly

Not to me it doesn't but there's opinions for you.

[Feed The Goat]

I like Balo id love to sit down and h[*]ave a chat with him. I recon he'd be a good laugh

[Avalon]

Nice Balotelli article (for a change)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011 ... ity-fa-cup

Great article, and I think next season both him and Dzeko will look completely different players. Balo is really becoming a true City fan (as well as player). Showing up at reserve games, staying late after practice (according to Doug), and getting along with the whole team. I think even this season he's matured a lot. It would be silly to invest so much time and patience in such a player without waiting to see the rewards (and there will be plenty). His family and friends are even moving over here!

A true Cty fan is pushing it a bit don't you think? [highlight]Staying late after practice is what I expect from players[/highlight]rather than it meaning they are becoming City fans.If that were the case Joe Hart and Milner must be massive fans.Balotelli just seems to love kicking a ball around and playing football.When he stays behind it's hard to tell whether it's for a specific practice reason or just that he can't be bothered to go inside.

I would say he has settled in quite well and does seem to get on with the players.He has matured a bit no doubt but on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being a mature person he will be up to 2 now so a long long way to go.

Let's just wait and see how he performs on the pitch which is really what it's all about. So far,after an initial impact, he has been very quiet and basically done nothing much for a long time.Along wih Dzeko we must hope for a lot more next season when they have settled even more and maybe the team approach will be a bit different to make the most of their talents

Do you stay behind after work?

As long as they show up on the training and train hard, I'm fine. I don't care if they stay behind after training, they don't have to, they're not obliged, it is not in their contract. Work hard during training and show commitment in the matches.

Anyway, what a nice article about Balo. I already liked him, but this shows people personality a lot better.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I used to when I worked yes and not just once a week either.Just like most people on here I would guess.
But if I were a footballer I would think I would stay behind to work on a little extra EVERY day.

[PeterParker]

What the hell did he do? The commentator said he left for the dressing room when Tevez went in, upset because he didn't played.