***Official Balo Watch Thread***

[dazby]

I'd like to see Mancio bump him to third in the striking pecking order just to see how hungry he is. Simply benching him does the team no favours. If he wants to move he's got to work for it. If he wants to stay he's got to work for it. If he wants to sit on his ass and waste his career he can do that too.

I'm not defending him but thus far he hasn't had to bear any consequences for his actions. It's about time he did and we saw what a fully fit and well rested Dzeko can do.

[hyper]

Not even going to try to defend him. Stupid, naïve, irresponsible, petulant and self-indulgent fucking way to get sent off.

What I will point out though are the blatant double standards of many who did not react similarly when some other cunt did exactly the same thing previously.

Richard fucking Dunne
Hamburg

The Dunne connection may but true but is a little harsh. Ballotelli has played 15 games (I think) for City, collecting 2 reds and 8 yellows. You could argue that Dunne put in a few better performances prior to his Hamburg moment.

[Ted Hughes]

Not even going to try to defend him. Stupid, naïve, irresponsible, petulant and self-indulgent fucking way to get sent off.

What I will point out though are the blatant double standards of many who did not react similarly when some other cunt did exactly the same thing previously.

Richard fucking Dunne
Hamburg

I did. The fat cunt cost us then & this stupid mummy's boy cunt has cost us now. As manager, I'd have been looking to get rid of Dunne from that monent on, as he proved he was a fucking liability who couldn't be trusted to behave himself in a crucial game. Balotelli has proved the same.

The problem is; we've only just bought him, for loads of money. For that reason, we have no choice but to try & make a player out of him but from now on, it has to be on our terms. He either cuts the shit & learns to grow up, NOW, or he's finished at City. That doesn't mean Bob continuing to kiss his arse & try to persuade him, it means proper straight talking of the kind he'd get from Mike Doyle. From that point of view I like this quote from DeJong:

“Tomorrow is a new day, we’re going to sit with him and he’s going to realise that he’s got to change the way that he plays because he’s always going to be a marked man.”

Not much talk of gentle persuasion there.

Then if we sort that, we have to teach him to fight for the ball rather than give up as he loses possession too often & then find out where the fuck we play him as he doesn't seem to fit any position (AJ looked 50 times better as a wide player) .

Thank Christ we dumped Bellamy for him & Jo. Bellamy was a troublemaker & his knees have gone.

[Blue2]

I still think Bobby can turn him round..he's a petulant child..but if you can harness his talent he could be unstoppable

The one worry is will his team mates have my patience?

Seems like they do

Disconsolate Mario Balotelli apologised to his Manchester City team-mates after his dismissal cost the Blues a place in the Europa League quarter-final.

The Italian is set to be dropped for Sunday’s league crunch at Chelsea after his straight red card for raking his studs down Dynamo Kiev defender Goran Popov.

But City stalwart Nigel de Jong said Balotelli regretted his actions, and had taken on board advice from team-mates after the match, which the Blues won 1-0 to go out on aggregate.

De Jong knows all about the stigma attached to such challenges, as he is still being demonised for his similar challenge on Xabi Alonso in last summer’s World Cup final, which went unpunished.

And he pleaded with the media and City fans not to be too hard on the youngster.

“He is a young boy of 20 years old and he has to learn from his mistakes – I told him, and everyone told him,” said de Jong, one of ten City heroes who almost hauled back the tie against the odds.

“He is still part of the squad, and has a lot of potential. He is a very good player but has to realise you have to change your mentality sometimes on a professional level.

“We are there to help him and not to criticise him or blast him away. He is still a young lad and has to learn. He has experienced guys around him and has to listen to them about what he can do better.”

Balotelli did not flee the scene of the crime – he waited behind the scenes in order to say sorry to the rest of the team.

“He was angry and he was disappointed,” said de Jong. “He let his team down in a way but he knows it and it is a good lesson for him. We were disappointed with it, but that is football. Sometimes you make mistakes and Mario made his mistake today – he will get everything straight again.”

De Jong stopped short of saying the dismissal cost City the game, but said it certainly made life harder.

“It’s difficult to say because after the sending-off we scored a goal, so it was 50-50,” he said.

“We had a good feeling in the camp but we were playing against a wall of 11 men and they tried to keep their lead from the first game. It would have been easier if we had 11 men.”

[Ted Hughes]

If it's true that he's genuinely upset & apologised & not acted as if he doesn't give a shit, then at least there's a starting point. The next thing we want to see is a version of Balotelli that plays as if he really wants to make up for it.

If he starts scowling & poncing next time he gets on the pitch, he should be back straight off & straight on the transfer list.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Not even going to try to defend him. Stupid, naïve, irresponsible, petulant and self-indulgent fucking way to get sent off.

What I will point out though are the blatant double standards of many who did not react similarly when some other cunt did exactly the same thing previously.

Richard fucking Dunne
Hamburg

Once again I find myself agreeing with Ant and Ted.
Dunne was exactly who I thought of last night when Balo got sent off.
It getting irritating watching our chances disappear with the same old players doing the damage.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Did I hear that he got out of his car later on to confront Kiev fans who were taunting him?

As I said,I think on this thread before the game, I just don't see anything close to enough of the fantastic player that others see but unfortunately I do see almost every match signs of what happened last night. Not as bad usually but it alwasy seems to be there at some level.

I don't see apologising as a good sign.The very idea that he wouldnt apologise is just unthinkable even for him.It's also good to hear his fellow players not having a go at him which again is what I would expect from them but I do wonder what they really think. Not just of Mario the man and player but the fact that he is being given plenty of chances and letting them down more often than not.

And how exactly did he miss that sitter?

[blue 68]

Utter tosser, he is not worth my support and certainly not worth his salary, if he was in any other profession he would be sacked off. Twat.

[Curlie]

[youtube]lYU-SeVofHs[/youtube]

Even the espn guys can't believe this is real.

Give me strength!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Original Dub]

Horrible CUNT of a man.

Get him out NOW.

[Ted Hughes]

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola believes Manchester City forward Mario Balotelli has the ability to be one of the world’s best players but only if he adds self-discipline to his undoubted talent.

The controversial Italian was sent off during City’s Europa League elimination last night, leading to further criticisms of the 20-year-old’s temperament and attitude.

In the aftermath of the defeat Roberto Mancini suggested Balotelli had cost his side victory against Dynamo Kiev, and Zola intimates the forward risks undermining his talent if he doesn’t gain greater self-control.

Zola, who worked with Balotelli with the Italy Under-21 setup, said: “He can become as good as he wants.

“Everything is in place except the self-discipline.

“He is a skilful player, a strong player; he just needs to learn the self-discipline that is so important in achieving results.

“All the biggest players I've seen in my career had talent, but they also had strong self-control which made them key players.

“I think Mario knows that, and he has to learn to use his passion for football in the best way.”

You're not kidding.

[Beeks]

In hindsight I believe that last night might just be a turning point for the lad?

[lets all have a disco]

In hindsight I believe that last night might just be a turning point for the lad?

I'm sure you said that last week.

[craigmcfc]

In hindsight I believe that last night might just be a turning point for the lad?

I'm clinging to that very hope, but at the same time thinking he really has had his last chance now

[Douglas Higginbottom]

In hindsight I believe that last night might just be a turning point for the lad?

I read that meaning he could be truning to leave:)

I have a terrible feeling that he will never shake off the bad habits he has.For me he should be heavily fined for last night and be left out of the team for a while with maybe just the occasional sub appearances.Included in that should be very stern words from Mancini which would include making him publically show real remorse for his actions and No stupid articles appearing in the press about wanting to play In Italy bla bla.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I have yet to see him get past opposing players with ease and waltz into the penalty area?...when has it happened?? will it happen ?
All I see is him lose the ball many times and when he tries to get it back it invariably involves a yellow card.

[Alioune DVToure]

I have yet to see him get past opposing players with ease and waltz into the penalty area?...when has it happened?? will it happen ?
All I see is him lose the ball many times and when he tries to get it back it invariably involves a yellow card.

He has bagged 10 goals in all competitions.

Not very likeable, but I'm amazed people still doubt his talent and/or goal threat.

[carl_feedthegoat]

I have yet to see him get past opposing players with ease and waltz into the penalty area?...when has it happened?? will it happen ?
All I see is him lose the ball many times and when he tries to get it back it invariably involves a yellow card.

He has bagged 10 goals in all competitions.

Not very likeable, but I'm amazed people still doubt his talent and/or goal threat.

That does not tell the whole story though does it....and I dont recall saying he has no talent...I just think some people go on about him as if he is the second coming......he is nowhere near at the moment and if he does not change his attitude he will never be.

[kennyboy]

[youtube]lYU-SeVofHs[/youtube]

Even the espn guys can't believe this is real.

Give me strength!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this is not a joke.. omfg, what a brainer we have

[TheGOAT]

Am I the only one in the world who thinks that it was a harsh red?
He tried to block a clearence and slightly caught the player with the follow through... yellow at most for me....

Reputation got him the red card, so for me bad refereeing.