***Official Balo Watch Thread***

[Moonchesteri]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

[roblues]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Whilst this is very likely the club forcing his hand, he could still have refused (we have all seen how difficult he can be)
Before last night, I was giving him the benefit of the doubt because of the goals he had already scored. Now that the dust has settled and he has made some sort of apology, he is back to square one for me and will be judged on future performances. We can't afford to write off such a huge talent after we have already invested so much in him. Had Dunne not been given another chance (despite his problems being off the field) we would have never seen the hero that stepped up later.

[ronk]

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.

No.

He should have been more careful but he was pulling away and made only minor contact. It looked bad from one angle but you can clearly see him holding his leg back in others, ref saw their player go down in a heap and couldn't get the red card out fast enough.

I think it's worth bearing in mind that City were very annoyed about the fact that his previous appeal was unsuccessful. They felt that his previous red card was not deserved. I honestly thought I saw worse challenges last night and I think there is a chance of an appeal.

[mr_nool]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Well,de jong said that Balo stayed in the changing room to apologise to the team, though, so I think there's truth to it.

[Green & Blue]

I admit i have defended him big time but i concede he's past defending at this stage, flawed character im afraid.

I have no doubt hes a fantastic young player but it will take an immense turn around now for him to win the fans over.Not even convinced a heroic performance against the rags would endear him to the fans.

Certianly looking like we could well end up with another huge let down along the lines of Robinho, unfurtunate to cross paths with two hugely talented uber wankers in such a short space of time.

[Moonchesteri]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Well,de jong said that Balo stayed in the changing room to apologise to the team, though, so I think there's truth to it.

Just simply thought this is again those things that club basically forces players to say but didn't know that. Fair play to him if (as) that is the case.

and I also agree with roblues about giving him another chance, he may do the odd stupid thing but if we stick by him and let him grow up and develop we will have a terrific player in our hands.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Well,de jong said that Balo stayed in the changing room to apologise to the team, though, so I think there's truth to it.

Just simply thought this is again those things that club basically forces players to say but didn't know that. Fair play to him if (as) that is the case.

I am delighted to hear that he did that and a similar word for the fans would also be appropriate.But the key will be whether he has properly learned his lesson and get get his head right in the future.

[Slim]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Well,de jong said that Balo stayed in the changing room to apologise to the team, though, so I think there's truth to it.

Just simply thought this is again those things that club basically forces players to say but didn't know that. Fair play to him if (as) that is the case.

I am delighted to hear that he did that and a similar word for the fans would also be appropriate.But the key will be whether he has properly learned his lesson and get get his head right in the future.

That's what I am thinking, he either...
a) Apologised, really meant it and feels terrible about letting the team, the fans and the club down. In which case I would think an apology to the fans would be the next logical step.
b) Didn't mean it, doesn't really give a toss that he had to even say anything, hoping insincerity wins the day and will expect the whole matter to blow over.
c) Didn't mean it, resents having to even grace the mortals he plays alongside with actual words, surely they should take his presence as proof that they are favoured by the almighty and get the fuck over it, counting themselves lucky they get to play alongside such a prestigious talent as himself.
d) Doesn't matter whether he meant it or not, wants out and will use any incident his fault or not, to angle himself for a move to Milan.

[Green & Blue]

He is sorry for the red. (story on OS).

I'm not buying it tho.

Well,de jong said that Balo stayed in the changing room to apologise to the team, though, so I think there's truth to it.

Just simply thought this is again those things that club basically forces players to say but didn't know that. Fair play to him if (as) that is the case.

I am delighted to hear that he did that and a similar word for the fans would also be appropriate.But the key will be whether he has properly learned his lesson and get get his head right in the future.

Thats my worry as im begining to feel he will have great difficulty changing his attitude on the pitch.Mancini has already stressed his need to buck up his ways but obviously the penny has not dropped.Maybe last night might just be the wake up call he needs but i would not hold my breath.

[Goataldo]

I've said befiore it's aobut the balance between his goals and talent - his goal return is immense. The the devil's advocate schizo part of my brain is telling me that it wasn't as bad as it might have first looked, most of his bookings are harsh, and that he can reform. But do we need to be the mugs mollycoddling up for someone he really wants to play for??

Lat night's game needed a particularly strong attitude from all our players, and he fell well short of what was required. He has so much to do to tip the scales in his favour, it looks unlikely someone like him (as he is now) can turn it round, certainly at City.

He's so completely off his head though, he might turn Buddhist or something, and totally change. And want to play right-back. For Stockport.

I'm running out of patience with him. Being 20 is not enough of an excuse to act up so regularly.

[Slim]

I've said befiore it's aobut the balance between his goals and talent - his goal return is immense. The the devil's advocate schizo part of my brain is telling me that it wasn't as bad as it might have first looked, most of his bookings are harsh, and that he can reform. But do we need to be the mugs mollycoddling up for someone he really wants to play for??

Lat night's game needed a particularly strong attitude from all our players, and he fell well short of what was required. He has so much to do to tip the scales in his favour, it looks unlikely someone like him (as he is now) can turn it round, certainly at City.

He's so completely off his head though, he might turn Buddhist or something, and totally change. And want to play right-back. For Stockport.

I'm running out of patience with him. Being 20 is not enough of an excuse to act up so regularly.

Me too, sort of said to IBH I would give him time but he's making it REALLY hard to see his virtues, let along sing them.

[shawzy]

Apologies eh.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... -card.html

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I cant be bothered looking it up but who has he scored against so far. WBA 2 and 4 against Villa in 2 games I remember.

[peepo]

Mario obviously has talent but talent without hard work and the right attitude usually doesn't add up to much. I'm more worried about the effect he'll have on the rest of the team.... how would you like working alongside a spoilt brat that continously lets you down and doesn't seem to care???

[ant london]

Horrible CUNT of a man.

Get him out NOW.

Not often that I fundamentally disagree with you my compatriot

But on this one you are way wide of the mark. I'll balance it also against the fact that you were full square behind that useless eedjit Dunne.

We shall have to agree to disagree

Happy Paddy's Day ya Cunt

[Goataldo]

Mario obviously has talent but talent without hard work and the right attitude usually doesn't add up to much. I'm more worried about the effect he'll have on the rest of the team.... how would you like working alongside a spoilt brat that continously lets you down and doesn't seem to care???

Check this out for a quotation. Someone should translate it and send to the lad:

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."– Calvin Coolidge.

Unfortunately, Mario might read that, and think; "So if I persist in acting like a nob, I might just prove the world wrong!"

[Alioune DVToure]

I cant be bothered looking it up but who has he scored against so far. WBA 2 and 4 against Villa in 2 games I remember.

Off the top of my head...

I think Timisoara, Salzburg (2) and... Fulham?

[Original Dub]

Horrible CUNT of a man.

Get him out NOW.

Not often that I fundamentally disagree with you my compatriot

But on this one you are way wide of the mark. I'll balance it also against the fact that you were full square behind that useless eedjit Dunne.

We shall have to agree to disagree

Happy Paddy's Day ya Cunt

That eedjit Dunne was POTY four times and a fantastic servant to the club. A legend whether you liked him or not.

To compare him with this petulant cunt is disgraceful mate. Fucking disgraceful. They may both have been sent off in crucial European games, but one would die for the cause and even though he wasn't the most talented cunt in the world and the other only cares about himself.

Why you would try to defend this knacker is beyond me.

Answer me this - if he hasn't already crossed the line with his 9 yellows, 2 reds and blatant disregard for the club in almost every interview, then when will you say enough is enough?

Seriously?

[Arjan Van Schotte]

Horrible CUNT of a man.

Get him out NOW.

Not often that I fundamentally disagree with you my compatriot

But on this one you are way wide of the mark. I'll balance it also against the fact that you were full square behind that useless eedjit Dunne.

We shall have to agree to disagree

Happy Paddy's Day ya Cunt

That eedjit Dunne was POTY four times and a fantastic servant to the club. A legend whether you liked him or not.

To compare him with this petulant cunt is disgraceful mate. Fucking disgraceful. They may both have been sent off in crucial European games, but one would die for the cause and even though he wasn't the most talented cunt in the world and the other only cares about himself.

Why you would try to defend this knacker is beyond me.

Answer me this - if he hasn't already crossed the line with his 9 yellows, 2 reds and blatant disregard for the club in almost every interview, then when will you say enough is enough?

Seriously?

word OD - i was furious with dunne at the time but that receded quickly coz of his overall contribution to what was a pretty poor team.

i think this article is pretty fair:
It became apparent life around Balotelli would be eventful when the player scored on his debut in Timisoara, then suffered a knee injury that kept him out for two months.

Balotelli also scored two goals in a victory over West Brom in October, after which he was sent off for two bookable offences.

A string of off-field actions included wearing an AC Milan shirt on an Italian TV show, which antagonised the Inter fans he used to play for in addition to irritating those of City.

The reason for a late-night drive into a women's prison in Italy has never been fully explained. He also had to be pulled away from Jerome Boateng during a City training session in December.

And even though the medical information was that Balotelli was in severe trouble, there was an element of farce about him suffering an allergic reaction to the grass in Kiev last week that forced his face to swell up.

Little wonder Balotelli accepts life in England has not been straightforward.

"From my injury on, I have had some difficulties," he said, with some degree of understatement. "It is not an easy period for me but I will overcome it with the help of everybody."

Read more: http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Ci ... z1GyyQ6AjO
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[roblues]

Horrible CUNT of a man.

Get him out NOW.

Not often that I fundamentally disagree with you my compatriot

But on this one you are way wide of the mark. I'll balance it also against the fact that you were full square behind that useless eedjit Dunne.

We shall have to agree to disagree

Happy Paddy's Day ya Cunt

That eedjit Dunne was POTY four times and a fantastic servant to the club. A legend whether you liked him or not.

To compare him with this petulant cunt is disgraceful mate. Fucking disgraceful. They may both have been sent off in crucial European games, but one would die for the cause and even though he wasn't the most talented cunt in the world and the other only cares about himself.

Why you would try to defend this knacker is beyond me.

Answer me this - if he hasn't already crossed the line with his 9 yellows, 2 reds and blatant disregard for the club in almost every interview, then when will you say enough is enough?

Seriously?

I made the comparison with Dunne earlier in the thread, but purely based on his off the field troubles with drink which he admitted to himself. Following this we decided against sacking him, he reformed, and then he became a City legend.