Aguero

[Duckman]

I just hope Sergio will stay longer than three seasons.

Excellent job by Gary the Splinter.

[ant london]

Excellent job by Gary the Splinter.

he ravaged Atletico

[Im_Spartacus]

Well, looks like that analysis really puts paid to the myth of balotelli the genius.

I agree it has been like having a different set of players on the pitch now we have 2/3 players buzzing around up front again, so many options, so many problems for defenders. balotellis penchant for standing expecting the perfect pass, and not really contributing has been shown up in two games by tevez.

He can either adapt or move on. I dont think he can adapt, he doesnt seem to have the work ethic required

[thegoatfeeder]

We just aren't the same team with Mario, said it for a while, he disrupts our system too much. As much as Dzeko has struggled at times this season, our best partnership was him and Aguero, and I think its a shame we kept playing Mario/Sergio even though it wasn't working as has been proved by those stats.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Well, looks like that analysis really puts paid to the myth of balotelli the genius.

I agree it has been like having a different set of players on the pitch now we have 2/3 players buzzing around up front again, so many options, so many problems for defenders. balotellis penchant for standing expecting the perfect pass, and not really contributing has been shown up in two games by tevez.

He can either adapt or move on. I dont think he can adapt, he doesnt seem to have the work ethic required

Yet again I found myself thinking ratboy is good at his job.

[Im_Spartacus]

Yet again I found myself thinking ratboy is good at his job.

Cant argue with his analysis of the situation........why couldnt nasri get that pass away earlier vs arsenal aaaargh.

Suppose with two players buzzing around ahead of silva and nasri, it wont be long before they are seeing the runs before they are happening again. I fancy a couple more sides to take a real tanning in the next few weeks.

[john68]

It goes back to players and teams. Teams win trophies, not players. As Mourinho said, "I want a team of superstars, where the team is the superstar"
Neither Balotelli nor (should we buy him), Sturridge, seem to understand that...yet. The questions arise whether Balotelli (or Sturridge) will ever understand that? Or whether either Bob can teach those players that?

Personal ego is necessary for all players to lift their personal confidence but all players must understand that they are and must always remain subservient to the needs of the whole.

As seen at such a micro level of single passes and single movements that can create goals and win games, we also see why it takes so long to create successful teams. Some players like Tevez already understand it, some, even superstar individuals never will. It may also go some way to explaining why the rags took so long under Taggart to become successful and why now, with a better squad of individual players than the rags, we are not as far ahead of them as some would wish.

Neville may be many things but because of his personal footballing inadequacies, he had to be a team player. It may be the reason for Neville's success, that he was content to play second fiddle and support the players around ahead of him. He may still be the ratboy who can't grow facial hair, but rag or not, he is worth listening to. His point about the likes of Balotelli supporting and playing 2nd fiddle to Aguero is well made.

[Ted Hughes]

Well, looks like that analysis really puts paid to the myth of balotelli the genius.

I agree it has been like having a different set of players on the pitch now we have 2/3 players buzzing around up front again, so many options, so many problems for defenders. balotellis penchant for standing expecting the perfect pass, and not really contributing has been shown up in two games by tevez.

He can either adapt or move on. I dont think he can adapt, he doesnt seem to have the work ethic required

Yet again I found myself thinking ratboy is good at his job.

I find this interview with Balotelli interesting re that.

It now seems that Tevez and Mancini have buried the hatchet, with the Argentine striker back in the first team and giving his all to City's title bid.

Tevez's determination to a help a club he once appeared so determined to leave appears to have helped inspire Balotelli to change his ways.

His sending off against Arsenal earlier this month, after which Mancini suggested Balotellli had played his final game for the club, also appears to have been a major factor in his determination to put in the necessary hard work to regain the manager's trust - a feat he is confident of achieving.

"I need to improve as a player - especially my behaviour on the pitch, but also from a tactical point of view," he said. "My point of reference is Tevez.

"When I came here, training was, for me, about having a good time. Instead, I’m learning from him to always give the maximum every day.

"After the red card against Arsenal I realised how important it is to worry about my team-mates: I can not leave them with 10 men.

"I’m fortunate to be working with Mancini - one of the best coaches in the world, if not the best. After my last sending off he feared a big ban, so he spoke in such harsh terms. But we have sorted things out - I know that he believes in me. As always, after all."

Asked to clarify where he sees himself in the future, with rumours he is missing life in Italy circulating relentlessly, Balotelli added: "My future? I am only thinking about winning the title at the moment. Why are you always talking about Milan and Inter? I am under contract with Manchester City and have no intention of leaving.

He's certainly talking as if he's willing to take it on board. Let's see if his actions back it up.

[bigblue]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

[Socrates]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

That has been my thinking too but I have to confess that those Aguero stats are a big blow to the theory. If our most effective striker is at his least effective when playing with Mario then that is a genuine reason to think we might be better with someone else. I know people are comparing Sturridge to Mario on the basis of selfishness, I don't think selfishness is the problem with Mario though, I think it is randomness. Aguero cannot guess what Mario will do next and it effects his game.

[Ted Hughes]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

By 'everyone' I take it you mean Mancini ?

[brite blu sky]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

That has been my thinking too but I have to confess that those Aguero stats are a big blow to the theory. If our most effective striker is at his least effective when playing with Mario then that is a genuine reason to think we might be better with someone else. I know people are comparing Sturridge to Mario on the basis of selfishness, I don't think selfishness is the problem with Mario though, I think it is randomness. Aguero cannot guess what Mario will do next and it effects his game.

Mario is selfish, you can see it in his decision making all the time, he will slow play right down and miss glaring opportunities to just keep a move going. Or he will attempt over optimistic runs. One of his fortes is turn of speed from standing still, so he looks to try that to gain space and do something himself. That's great I have to say, but he should be choosing when to do that better and on the whole should be looking to keep moves going and feeding the others as much as he gets fed. I agree he is also random on top that too which while again good in some ways is more difficult for team mates to play with. So imo it is a combination of things, trying to steal the show is definitely one of them.

[Ted Hughes]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

That has been my thinking too but I have to confess that those Aguero stats are a big blow to the theory. If our most effective striker is at his least effective when playing with Mario then that is a genuine reason to think we might be better with someone else. I know people are comparing Sturridge to Mario on the basis of selfishness, I don't think selfishness is the problem with Mario though, I think it is randomness. Aguero cannot guess what Mario will do next and it effects his game.

Mario is selfish, you can see it in his decision making all the time, he will slow play right down and miss glaring opportunities to just keep a move going. Or he will attempt over optimistic runs. One of his fortes is turn of speed from standing still, so he looks to try that to gain space and do something himself. That's great I have to say, but he should be choosing when to do that better and on the whole should be looking to keep moves going and feeding the others as much as he gets fed. I agree he is also random on top that too which while again good in some ways is more difficult for team mates to play with. So imo it is a combination of things, trying to steal the show is definitely one of them.

Neither Mario nor Dzeko really link up with anyone. I think the stats for goals scored with Aguero + Dzeko are misleading. If you watch the two play, they don't link up together at all either & it's not just down to Dzeko; Aguero doesn't pass to him.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Is it just me or is it a little scary that Mario is using Tevez as some sort of role model ? So far it's just words which might be more to get the message across to maintain his hopes of getting into the Italaian squad for the Euros but maybe just maybe he has seen the light.

[Blue Since 76]

Neither Mario nor Dzeko really link up with anyone. I think the stats for goals scored with Aguero + Dzeko are misleading. If you watch the two play, they don't link up together at all either & it's not just down to Dzeko; Aguero doesn't pass to him.

I wouldn't pass to him either. Especially not after he fluffed my chance for goal of the season.

[Im_Spartacus]

Is it just me or is it a little scary that Mario is using Tevez as some sort of role model ? So far it's just words which might be more to get the message across to maintain his hopes of getting into the Italaian squad for the Euros but maybe just maybe he has seen the light.

It is considering that Tevez is known as a bad trainer (well, lets just say his fellow professionals would say he doesnt give 100% as he does on the pitch).

Problem is, if Mario tried to emulate Carlos' energy on the pitch, he would be sent off within 5 minutes

[Mingchester Mingy]

It goes back to players and teams. Teams win trophies, not players. As Mourinho said, "I want a team of superstars, where the team is the superstar"
Neither Balotelli nor (should we buy him), Sturridge, seem to understand that...yet. The questions arise whether Balotelli (or Sturridge) will ever understand that? Or whether either Bob can teach those players that?

Personal ego is necessary for all players to lift their personal confidence but all players must understand that they are and must always remain subservient to the needs of the whole.

As seen at such a micro level of single passes and single movements that can create goals and win games, we also see why it takes so long to create successful teams. Some players like Tevez already understand it, some, even superstar individuals never will. It may also go some way to explaining why the rags took so long under Taggart to become successful and why now, with a better squad of individual players than the rags, we are not as far ahead of them as some would wish.

Neville may be many things but because of his personal footballing inadequacies, he had to be a team player. It may be the reason for Neville's success, that he was content to play second fiddle and support the players around ahead of him. He may still be the ratboy who can't grow facial hair, but rag or not, he is worth listening to. His point about the likes of Balotelli supporting and playing 2nd fiddle to Aguero is well made.

This I think is one of the best posts I have read since joining this forum. Well Done.....
Mario will never understand it. Tevez has been playing almost a center attacking midfield and along with SIlva, they understand that 3 things create scoring chances....time , space, and angles. You make runs off the ball and it creates ! When Aguero is lined up with Mario...he has no clue what to expect. I even noticed the last two games how with Silva, Tevez, and Kun....the team looks happy out there. Why? Because they are playing football the way its meant to be played.

[Grob]

He's certainly talking as if he's willing to take it on board. Let's see if his actions back it up.

If he had Tevez and Aguero's work ethic and awareness he would be one hell of an asset.

Ive rarely seen him perform at the level Tevez and Aguero have in the last 2 games.

Maybe the penny has dropped with him though?

I suspect its just lip service, leopards and spots...

Would rather he proved me wrong though

[Grob]

Everyone's being too harsh on Mario. He can be part of a winning team that has us demolish other teams (1-6 @ the swamp). Think he's got his head down and should do better now. He could learn from Aguero, who probably has one of the most professional attitudes in the whole league.

That has been my thinking too but I have to confess that those Aguero stats are a big blow to the theory. If our most effective striker is at his least effective when playing with Mario then that is a genuine reason to think we might be better with someone else. I know people are comparing Sturridge to Mario on the basis of selfishness, I don't think selfishness is the problem with Mario though, I think it is randomness. Aguero cannot guess what Mario will do next and it effects his game.

Mario is selfish, you can see it in his decision making all the time, he will slow play right down and miss glaring opportunities to just keep a move going. Or he will attempt over optimistic runs. One of his fortes is turn of speed from standing still, so he looks to try that to gain space and do something himself. That's great I have to say, but he should be choosing when to do that better and on the whole should be looking to keep moves going and feeding the others as much as he gets fed. I agree he is also random on top that too which while again good in some ways is more difficult for team mates to play with. So imo it is a combination of things, trying to steal the show is definitely one of them.

Neither Mario nor Dzeko really link up with anyone. I think the stats for goals scored with Aguero + Dzeko are misleading. If you watch the two play, they don't link up together at all either & it's not just down to Dzeko; Aguero doesn't pass to him.

5 of them were in 1 game against Spurs.

As another poster pointed out earlier I wouldnt pass to Dzeko either as he will only mess it up. He just doesnt fit the system. Playing with ball playing possession players like Silva, Tevez, Aguero, and even Nasri make him look like a pub player.

Theres a reason we barely see him these days

[Ted Hughes]

Personally I don't think Dzeko is any less capable of playing a full part for City than Mario, it's just a matter of getting him to do it, but why should we bother if they don't ? Either they make a sudden dramaitic effort to do what is required or we should just get rid of the pair of them.

We have too many excuses for both of them, especially all this bollox about how Dzeko can't be expected to hold the ball up or perform properly without wingers & others saying how Mario's attitude is actually not that bad.

It's fucking nonsense.

Mario seemed to have made an effort but even then he's still falling on his fucking arse & waving his arms about when we need him up on his toes running into position. Similarly, Dzeko came on the other night & played like he didn't give a fuck. People say this is all 'understandable' because Mario gets picked on (yes he does) & Dzeko needs more crosses (yes he does) BUT FUCKING GET ON WITH IT ANYWAY.

The return of Tevez has shown the pair of them up & how much they need to improve as players.

Imo both are capable of doing so but no more excuses. Do it or fuck off.