***Official Balo Watch Thread***

[CityFanFromRome]

In the meantime however, he'll have to put the work in or people won't wear it. I think he will do once he's fully fit & not worrying about his knee.

I hope he will, but I don't hold my breath. I've never seen him do it regularly for Inter so I don't think that will change here; he's just a different player from Tevez on this aspect.

To be fair, how many great strikers do what Tevez does? Drogba doesn't, nor do Torres or Berbatov; Van Persie is another one who only stays forward; Villa, Ibrahimovic, Higuain, none of them do so much tracking back and hassling the opposition. They contribute to the team with goals, assists, and anything concerning the attacking play, but offer little from a defensive point of view if not on set pieces, the ones big enough to be good headers of the ball.

The only ones who come to my mind who do that are Rooney and Eto'o last season under Mourinho but he stopped doing it this season as he plays as the main striker now, and not on the wing.

[Esky]

I think we all like to see attackers pressuring the ball and tackling back but you can still be a fine striker without doing that. I don't remember Thierry Henri doing much tracking back and he would hurdle tackles to avoid injury. Still you've got to perform very well at the top end of the pitch if that's how you play and you can't afford more than one player like that in a successful team.

Tevez's movement off the ball is excellent, he's a constant handful nipping at defenders and then of course there are his goals. He does create for others too but is a shade on the greedy side. There again which top striker isn't? It's in their DNA to want to score goals.

Barca used to allow Ronaldinho to be a lazy twat & the rest of the players were happy to do his grafting for him, but that was when he was mid 20's & the best player in the world (imo better than Messi is now) not at age 20 & never been a regular 1st choice starter in the team.

Really? Don't want to derail the thread but I think Messi has more end product and does more for the team than Ronaldinho ever did.

[Original Dub]

Out of interest does anyone know how many games it took Carlos to get to 10 goals for us?

22

Should be interesting to see (if) how long it takes Balo to get to 50.

[Ted Hughes]

In the meantime however, he'll have to put the work in or people won't wear it. I think he will do once he's fully fit & not worrying about his knee.

I hope he will, but I don't hold my breath. I've never seen him do it regularly for Inter so I don't think that will change here; he's just a different player from Tevez on this aspect.

To be fair, how many great strikers do what Tevez does? Drogba doesn't, nor do Torres or Berbatov; Van Persie is another one who only stays forward; Villa, Ibrahimovic, Higuain, none of them do so much tracking back and hassling the opposition. They contribute to the team with goals, assists, and anything concerning the attacking play, but offer little from a defensive point of view if not on set pieces, the ones big enough to be good headers of the ball.

The only ones who come to my mind who do that are Rooney and Eto'o last season under Mourinho but he stopped doing it this season as he plays as the main striker now, and not on the wing.

It's not about doing what Tevez does; Tevez is exceptional. It's about doing an acceptable amount of tracking back, forcing the oppo to pass the ball etc, so that the rest of the team can pick up their players & keep their shape. Players like Ronaldinho & Robinho were a liability on that score & couldn't be relied upon to do anything, ever. Balotelli is showing signs that he's willing to do his bit for the team, which is all he will be asked to do. He doesn't have to be Tevez, just not be a lazy sod & let people stroll past him.

@ Esksy: Messi is fantastic but I used to look forward to watching Barca more when Fat Ron was at his best. Some of the stuff he did used to make me gasp out loud (& swear) in amazement. Passes he could pick out from deep & play, 1st time, 25 yards between the defence without looking etc as well as shots from distance, wicked crosses, free kicks as well as the short game which Messi favours. Messi is a better goalscorer & more consistently good in tight spaces etc but fat Ron had so many different aspects to his game, I rate him as the best attacking player I've seen in the last 20 years or so. It's a pity he turned out to be such a lazy lump as I recon he could still be brilliant now if he cared.

[Original Dub]

Ted - I've to agree on Ian Rush.

Rush was class at robbing the ball from midfielders and stopping defenders who liked to play their way out of defence.

Tevez is more like Rush than Balo is IMO.

[Rag_hater]

In the meantime however, he'll have to put the work in or people won't wear it. I think he will do once he's fully fit & not worrying about his knee.

I hope he will, but I don't hold my breath. I've never seen him do it regularly for Inter so I don't think that will change here; he's just a different player from Tevez on this aspect.

To be fair, how many great strikers do what Tevez does? Drogba doesn't, nor do Torres or Berbatov; Van Persie is another one who only stays forward; Villa, Ibrahimovic, Higuain, none of them do so much tracking back and hassling the opposition. They contribute to the team with goals, assists, and anything concerning the attacking play, but offer little from a defensive point of view if not on set pieces, the ones big enough to be good headers of the ball.

The only ones who come to my mind who do that are Rooney and Eto'o last season under Mourinho but he stopped doing it this season as he plays as the main striker now, and not on the wing.

It's not about doing what Tevez does; Tevez is exceptional. It's about doing an acceptable amount of tracking back, forcing the oppo to pass the ball etc, so that the rest of the team can pick up their players & keep their shape. Players like Ronaldinho & Robinho were a liability on that score & couldn't be relied upon to do anything, ever. Balotelli is showing signs that he's willing to do his bit for the team, which is all he will be asked to do. He doesn't have to be Tevez, just not be a lazy sod & let people stroll past him.

@ Esksy: Messi is fantastic but I used to look forward to watching Barca more when Fat Ron was at his best. Some of the stuff he did used to make me gasp out loud (& swear) in amazement. Passes he could pick out from deep & play, 1st time, 25 yards between the defence without looking etc as well as shots from distance, wicked crosses, free kicks as well as the short game which Messi favours. Messi is a better goalscorer & more consistently good in tight spaces etc but fat Ron had so many different aspects to his game, I rate him as the best attacking player I've seen in the last 20 years or so. It's a pity he turned out to be such a lazy lump as I recon he could still be brilliant now if he cared.

What yo say about Goofy I enjoyed reading and agree with you 100%.For me Ron and Zidane were the best players I have ever seen.Now for me I think Tranny does all the things you mentioned Fat Ron doing and for me is a little better than Lionel.If our Mario is gonna get anywhere near the standard of these two then I will really cream my pants and the glimpses he has shown with some of his skills he has shown that looks a distinct possibity.

[Ted Hughes]

In the meantime however, he'll have to put the work in or people won't wear it. I think he will do once he's fully fit & not worrying about his knee.

I hope he will, but I don't hold my breath. I've never seen him do it regularly for Inter so I don't think that will change here; he's just a different player from Tevez on this aspect.

To be fair, how many great strikers do what Tevez does? Drogba doesn't, nor do Torres or Berbatov; Van Persie is another one who only stays forward; Villa, Ibrahimovic, Higuain, none of them do so much tracking back and hassling the opposition. They contribute to the team with goals, assists, and anything concerning the attacking play, but offer little from a defensive point of view if not on set pieces, the ones big enough to be good headers of the ball.

The only ones who come to my mind who do that are Rooney and Eto'o last season under Mourinho but he stopped doing it this season as he plays as the main striker now, and not on the wing.

It's not about doing what Tevez does; Tevez is exceptional. It's about doing an acceptable amount of tracking back, forcing the oppo to pass the ball etc, so that the rest of the team can pick up their players & keep their shape. Players like Ronaldinho & Robinho were a liability on that score & couldn't be relied upon to do anything, ever. Balotelli is showing signs that he's willing to do his bit for the team, which is all he will be asked to do. He doesn't have to be Tevez, just not be a lazy sod & let people stroll past him.

@ Esksy: Messi is fantastic but I used to look forward to watching Barca more when Fat Ron was at his best. Some of the stuff he did used to make me gasp out loud (& swear) in amazement. Passes he could pick out from deep & play, 1st time, 25 yards between the defence without looking etc as well as shots from distance, wicked crosses, free kicks as well as the short game which Messi favours. Messi is a better goalscorer & more consistently good in tight spaces etc but fat Ron had so many different aspects to his game, I rate him as the best attacking player I've seen in the last 20 years or so. It's a pity he turned out to be such a lazy lump as I recon he could still be brilliant now if he cared.

What yo say about Goofy I enjoyed reading and agree with you 100%.For me Ron and Zidane were the best players I have ever seen.Now for me I think Tranny does all the things you mentioned Fat Ron doing and for me is a little better than Lionel.If our Mario is gonna get anywhere near the standard of these two then I will really cream my pants and the glimpses he has shown with some of his skills he has shown that looks a distinct possibity.

I think Ronaldo has a better shot & header but I rate Messi higher at everything else. I think Balo has similar ability to Ronaldo but has yet to show it all. It's not easy hitting a ball at 90 mph or sprinting when you're worried about a previous knee injury though. May be next season before he's fully fit mentally & physically.

[ashton287]

Balotelli is a lazy selfish prick. Doesnt matter how many goals he scores unless he changes his attitude no one will like him. No one denies his natural ability but he will never be tevez.


Not for us anyway, maybe when he is back in milan he might change.

[Rag_hater]

In the meantime however, he'll have to put the work in or people won't wear it. I think he will do once he's fully fit & not worrying about his knee.

I hope he will, but I don't hold my breath. I've never seen him do it regularly for Inter so I don't think that will change here; he's just a different player from Tevez on this aspect.

To be fair, how many great strikers do what Tevez does? Drogba doesn't, nor do Torres or Berbatov; Van Persie is another one who only stays forward; Villa, Ibrahimovic, Higuain, none of them do so much tracking back and hassling the opposition. They contribute to the team with goals, assists, and anything concerning the attacking play, but offer little from a defensive point of view if not on set pieces, the ones big enough to be good headers of the ball.

The only ones who come to my mind who do that are Rooney and Eto'o last season under Mourinho but he stopped doing it this season as he plays as the main striker now, and not on the wing.

It's not about doing what Tevez does; Tevez is exceptional. It's about doing an acceptable amount of tracking back, forcing the oppo to pass the ball etc, so that the rest of the team can pick up their players & keep their shape. Players like Ronaldinho & Robinho were a liability on that score & couldn't be relied upon to do anything, ever. Balotelli is showing signs that he's willing to do his bit for the team, which is all he will be asked to do. He doesn't have to be Tevez, just not be a lazy sod & let people stroll past him.

@ Esksy: Messi is fantastic but I used to look forward to watching Barca more when Fat Ron was at his best. Some of the stuff he did used to make me gasp out loud (& swear) in amazement. Passes he could pick out from deep & play, 1st time, 25 yards between the defence without looking etc as well as shots from distance, wicked crosses, free kicks as well as the short game which Messi favours. Messi is a better goalscorer & more consistently good in tight spaces etc but fat Ron had so many different aspects to his game, I rate him as the best attacking player I've seen in the last 20 years or so. It's a pity he turned out to be such a lazy lump as I recon he could still be brilliant now if he cared.

What yo say about Goofy I enjoyed reading and agree with you 100%.For me Ron and Zidane were the best players I have ever seen.Now for me I think Tranny does all the things you mentioned Fat Ron doing and for me is a little better than Lionel.If our Mario is gonna get anywhere near the standard of these two then I will really cream my pants and the glimpses he has shown with some of his skills he has shown that looks a distinct possibity.

I think Ronaldo has a better shot & header but I rate Messi higher at everything else. I think Balo has similar ability to Ronaldo but has yet to show it all. It's not easy hitting a ball at 90 mph or sprinting when you're worried about a previous knee injury though. May be next season before he's fully fit mentally & physically.

Messi IMO seems to be a better passer of the ball but that is about all.Whenever I have seen them both play Messi seems to be more central that Tranny who is on the wing more or outside like Henry used to be.Because of this reason I think Messi passes more and runs less whereas Tranny is fast down the wing so maybe its because of this Tranny seems faster with the ball at his feet and he for me is better at free kicks aswell and dribbling.

[Beeks]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

[Kladze]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

[Slim]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

Those 20 yard tap-ins were phenomenal though.

[ashton287]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

Those 20 yard tap-ins were phenomenal though.

2 decent goals, the fa cup against villa and the 1 against wigan.

The wigan one is easily forgettable due to the complete wank that happened for the rest of the game.

[Beeks]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

Those 20 yard tap-ins were phenomenal though.

2 decent goals, the fa cup against villa and the 1 against wigan.

The wigan one is easily forgettable due to the complete wank that happened for the rest of the game.

Who gives a fuck how they go in...he scores...end of

[Slim]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

Those 20 yard tap-ins were phenomenal though.

2 decent goals, the fa cup against villa and the 1 against wigan.

The wigan one is easily forgettable due to the complete wank that happened for the rest of the game.

How about Fulham? Thought that was a decent strike.

[aaron bond]

Im resigned to the fact that despite his double figures in goals for us already some of you will never like Balo...it's like you are looking for something to slag him off about

Poor guys face swells up like a balloon and you still find time to give the guy shit...I just hope he CONTINUES to bang them in for us as he has been doing in his limited time on the pitch

cheers

Seven tap ins, 2 penalties and one decent goal ;-)

Those 20 yard tap-ins were phenomenal though.

2 decent goals, the fa cup against villa and the 1 against wigan.

The wigan one is easily forgettable due to the complete wank that happened for the rest of the game.

Who gives a fuck how they go in...he scores...end of

But as he cost so much he should be taking on 5 players and scoring from 25 yards with every goal.

Likewise, we've spent so much money as a club on players, we should be playing like Barcelona and hammering every team 5-0.

That's how it works (well, according to many on here at least...)

[Beeks]

Can't really defend the lad tonight..that was just ridiculous

[fees]

I hate this waste of space! He does not give a flying fuck and I wish he would piss off back to Italy.

[city72]

can we have our £2700000 back please????????

[s1ty m]

There can be no possible way to stand up for this fucker, ever, by any city fan. A dreadful transfer. Not the only one either.