Ballotelli

[johnny crossan]

Roberto Mancini has played down Mario Balotelli's show of petulance after being substituted in the 5-0 FA Cup win against Notts County on Sunday.

Balotelli, who failed to impress in his first start since December following injury, hurled his snood to the floor after being substituted on the hour.

The Italy striker had just been involved in a sickening collision with County defender Krystian Pearce - but Mancini insists the decision to withdraw Balotelli was taken pre-match.

"We decided before the game to replace him after an hour," he said. "It's his first start after injury and he had a clash of heads. He was unhappy but I will explain to him in a couple of days.

"It's not a problem. We want him fit for the next two months as we have a lot of games. He played well and didn't have any problems with his knee.

"We want to ease Mario back into action. He knew he would not play the full game. Sometimes in training when he misses a chance he holds his knee and then when he scores he doesn't!"

[horlock2000]

Whining brat who needs to grow up...

How people can come on here and say Dzeko is not a good player is nothing short of either thick/ not know anything about football/not watching the games and jumping on a small bandwagon or just Rags. Dzeko will be a fantastic buy for us...well upo there next to Tevez, Kompany, De Jong, Silva.... He played really well yesterday, his link up play and work rate were brilliant. Its only a matter of time before he is scoring as many ans Tevez. I think that they showed yesterday in their short time up front together that they will be formidable given games together. The problem we have is that Booby plays 3 up top mean on of the is deviated from the centre but i reckon if he played them exactly as he did yesterday (both up top) with a player in the hole behind them....They will be unplayable on their day :-).

For me... If AC offer us what we paid for Mario in the Summer, he can piss off and i for one wont be bothered at all. I agree with the people who reckon a big disaster in inevitable, i.e. getting sent off early doors in a cup final. A little boy stuck in a mans body...shouldnt be anywhere near pro football with his sttitude and temperament, he is an embarrasment to our club.

[brite blu sky]

He is different, tabloids dont like different. like everything same, in a box, safe. love to whinge like muppets at anything that doesn't conform. Not sure what the world would be like if it was exactly as they wanted.. everyone just like Micheal Owen probably. Wouldn't that be NICE.

[Ted Hughes]

If he gets sent off in a cup final, it will as likely be down to unfair treatment from the ref as something deserved. If you watched the other games over the weekend & noted the challenges that went in, the cards that were/weren't given, then Balotelli's yellow card, to go with most of his other cards, becomes an absolute fucking joke.

Who can blame refs for treating him like that when even City fans are buying into it though?

[blues2win]

The trouble is that Balotelli's awful body language gets on many fans' tits. There is clearly another side to him. I noticed that he went over to the Notts County player with whom he clashed to see if he was alright. I confess that I am concerned about him. I'm a firm believer that a player who shows his quality in a top foreign league can make it in the Premiership provided he has the right attitude. On that basis I'm confident Dzeko will be a great success. You can already see the quality and I'm sure he'll score lots of goals for us. As I see it the jury is very much out on Balotelli. He has yet to show that he really has the necessary desire to succeed in this country. Hopefully Mancini can get the best out of him because at his best he will be seriously good of that I have no doubt.

[Wooders]

this is the young ballon'd'or winner we are talking about
Yes, he needs to make some adjustments in his attitude and behaviour, and mancini will manage this, but he is considered to be the best young player in the world so perhaps it's in our best interest to keep hold of him ?

[Kladze]

this is the young ballon'd'or winner we are talking about
Yes, he needs to make some adjustments in his attitude and behaviour, and mancini will manage this, but he is considered to be the best young player in the world so perhaps it's in our best interest to keep hold of him ?

Methinks Wooders has a point.

Talented player who needs to lighten up on *himself* ....... may not be able to though, particularly if his own team's supporters get on his case.

[craigmcfc]

Well that was a brief cameo appearance from Mancio. Is he now banned or did he peak a bit early?

[CITYSTEVEDON]

ffs the papers dont need to negative against us as our own fans can do it for them. bet half of the hacks look at football forums and then put it down into the papers.

[colonel_muck]

he is an unbelievably intelligent footballer that gets overlooked by our sideways passing midfield time and time again. his attitude is a problem. he picks and chooses the games he is up for. watch him, and him alone next game you will see the balls he plays are always well thought out and the runs he makes are perfectly timed. BTW i also think James Milner is in the same vane footballing wise. I blame the manager for making us too catious in the middle of the pitch.

[Ted Hughes]

If Balotelli stood about sulking & didn't try to get involved, I'd jump on his back along with many people, I won't accept it, but he was making the runs & did try to get involved. I don't know what the fuck half of you are going on about. He made several runs similar to the one Tevez scored from but County had more defenders back at that stage of the game, City were being less expansive, so no fucker passed to him. He also put a fucking great ball in from the left which led to the corner for the 1st goal.

I'm seriously critical of this kind of stuff but he did alright.

[Slim]

If Balotelli stood about sulking & didn't try to get involved, I'd jump on his back along with many people, I won't accept it, but he was making the runs & did try to get involved. I don't know what the fuck half of you are going on about. He made several runs similar to the one Tevez scored from but County had more defenders back at that stage of the game, City were being less expansive, so no fucker passed to him. He also put a fucking great ball in from the left which led to the corner for the 1st goal.

I'm seriously critical of this kind of stuff but he did alright.

I think the problem was Tevez wasn't on the pitch at the time, he demands a lot of attention and players like Dzeko, Silva and Balotelli benefit from his presence. Unfortunately for Balo he was the one making way for Tevez or the outcome might have been different and there would be a thread about Dzeko or Silva here instead.

[branny]

He just needs to grow up and show some appetite, then all will be rosy.

[kinkylola]

disagree about him not showing appetite ... I think he needs to work on how he expresses his appetite, but I don't question that he has desire to win.

[Sister of fu]

I'm willing to give him time along with all our other signings. Yeah he acts like a complete pleb but i put that down to him being immature and being part of his so called "cool" image. He may actually grow up in time and behave like a normal person but I aint holding my breath.

The none celebration is a big "oh look at me I'm so fucking cool, I don't celebrate" but if he scores I couldn't give a flying fook if he got his knob out and asked Dave Silva to swing on it. He doesn't endear himself to me with his antics but like anyone else who wears that blue shirt I will get behind him while he is at my club.

[Guy Debord]

In a world of bland, tedious, sponsor-friendly footballers and pundits The SuperB Mario Balotelli is a breath of fresh air.

He's a cartoon baddy. Our cartoon baddy.

[justlurkin]

He looks to be the bees knees when it comes to talent. He has everything you want in a striker(although I'd like to see more goals from him with his head). He knows where the goal is and with games he will score a lot more provided he stays injury free. I wonder if Drogba was like him when he was 20(regarding his attitude). I am a fan of his but the petty yellows and stupid fouls must frustrate the hell out of Mancini. I bet they work on him all week trying to get their point across that he shouldn't get wound up by the opposition and if he doesn't get a free three times in a row, not to let the referee get to him. It's the premiership and you will be wound up all the time. He has to realise that. Maybe, he'll outgrow it in a year or two but he worries me when things aren't going his way, cause you know a yellow or red is on the way. Hopefully, he'll change as his talent is undeniable.

[me_innit]

Mario Balotelli is more of a team player than Carlos Tevez.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Mario Balotelli is more of a team player than Carlos Tevez.

His 50 goals makes up for it.

[me_innit]

Mario Balotelli is more of a team player than Carlos Tevez.

His 50 goals makes up for it.

Helped in no small part by a largely injury free 18 months playing as a main striker and taking all penalties whilst already familiar with the English game, hopefully Mario can match or better that in similar time given that he's the most natural finisher at the club according to coaches.

If that happens, it won't matter whether you're a Tevez or Balotelli fanboy because it's the team and the club that will bebefit.