Carlos Balotelli

[Risby]

Well that's what I'm talking about.

The idea that he did more running for Italy than he's done for City this season, is just bollocks.

People are just choosing to believe that.

I think this is going to divide opinion.
I for one have never been impressed with his work rate or energy for the club. Maybe I'm an old fashioned fan, but I expect more from a player of his talent and ability.
The walking down the tunnel doesn't bother me, I'm quite happy he doesn't like being taken off, but he has to do a lot more on the pitch.
7 games in and not a single goal thus far.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

I think this is going to divide opinion.
I for one have never been impressed with his work rate or energy for the club. Maybe I'm an old fashioned fan, but I expect more from a player of his talent and ability.
The walking down the tunnel doesn't bother me, I'm quite happy he doesn't like being taken off, but he has to do a lot more on the pitch.
7 games in and not a single goal thus far.

He's scored in the cup and champs lg tho.

Problem is when he doesn't score he rarely looks good.

[carl_feedthegoat]

so good I posted it twice

[youtube]sJv_UqTFryg[/youtube]

Fat odious slimy cunt.

[Lev Bronstein]

Saw Sunday Suppositry this morning and my blood is still boiling.What has Mario done to be loathsome? He hasn't racially abused anyone, he hasn't beaten anyone up for no reason, he's not a murderer or a paedophile. I just don't see what he's done to deserve such vitriol - a disgraceful statement.

We can argue about his work ethic and effectiveness, Mario doesn't deserve this. Yesterday I saw a player who was continually fouled - no doubt in the hope that he would react and get sent off, he didn't. Defenders seem to think that referees have given them a green light to kick him when they feel like it. Frankly, it's a scandal that this goes on.

Talk of him leaving the club? To be honest, if he left us and went to another country I wouldn't blame him in the slightest.

[Superbia]

Balotelli will never ever try for us so why bother with him.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Let's be honest, we're kidding ourselves that he is a potent striker. He doesn't look like scoring, contributes little and rarely shows any talent on the park. He still looks more like costing us a game rather than winning one. If we hadn't paid a king's ransom for him people would say he's shit.
Not worth the trouble he brings.
he's been here long enough to have shown a fuck sight more that we've seen if he really does have it.
If any club offered 10 million or more I'd hope we'd rip their hands off.
On the plus side . . . . He takes a good penno.

[twosips]

I'm starting to veer towards the 'I really couldn't be arsed if he never plays for City again' view personally.

He offers the least out of our strikers, by a pretty considerable margin at the moment. I'd honestly rather give a fit Guidetti a chance.

[Blue Since 76]

I think this is going to divide opinion.

.

Not as much as this is - we have two pairs of similar strikers - Aguero/Tevez and Dzeko/Balotelli. The first pair work like mad, chase lost causes and are the sort of strikers fans love. The second pair generally wander around like the whole thing is too much trouble and don't like running for a ball that's more than a yard away. They don't really chase defenders or keepers down and therefore aggravate fans, especially if they don't score. Even more annoyingly, the second pair occasionally show pace, strength, controlled aggression and look like a £20m+ striker. If they were just shit you could forgive it, but it's the fact that they rarely make full use of the talent they have that's so infuriating.

Given the choice, I'd sell Dzeko and Balotelli and bring in two new strikers who offer what they can but with the effort of a Tevez. Not sure who they are by the way...

[freshie]

I think this is going to divide opinion.

.

Not as much as this is - we have two pairs of similar strikers - Aguero/Tevez and Dzeko/Balotelli. The first pair work like mad, chase lost causes and are the sort of strikers fans love. The second pair generally wander around like the whole thing is too much trouble and don't like running for a ball that's more than a yard away. They don't really chase defenders or keepers down and therefore aggravate fans, especially if they don't score. Even more annoyingly, the second pair occasionally show pace, strength, controlled aggression and look like a £20m+ striker. If they were just shit you could forgive it, but it's the fact that they rarely make full use of the talent they have that's so infuriating.

Given the choice, I'd sell Dzeko and Balotelli and bring in two new strikers who offer what they can but with the effort of a Tevez. Not sure who they are by the way...

Cavani? Falcao?

[freshie]

Just to provide balance to the article quoted by the OP. From the Guardian:

Mario Balotelli set to avoid Manchester City action over substitution

• Striker walked straight down tunnel in win over Sunderland
• 'Mario played a good game' says manager Roberto Mancini

Mario Balotelli was taken off in the 56th minute after an indifferent display against Sunderland and avoided eye contact with his manager, Roberto Mancini, as he headed for the dressing room.

Mario Balotelli is unlikely to face action from Manchester City after he walked straight down the tunnel when substituted against Sunderland, according to the club.

The Italian was taken off for Sergio Agüero in the 56th minute after an indifferent display during City's 3-0 win against Sunderland. Balotelli did not make any eye contact with his manager, Roberto Mancini, as he headed for the dressing room.

David Platt, the assistant manager, added: "I don't know why he did that. He doesn't normally."

Balotelli flew home to join up with his national squad in Italy immediately after the match, but is not expected to be disciplined.

After the win, Mancini said: "I am happy with Mario, he played a good game."

[Chinners]

Starting a thread with a Dail Cunt Reporter link should be a banning offence on here, please do not let this occur again!

[simplytolmie]

I have to be honest Mario isn't my cup of tea as I like to see work rate alongside talent unless you are Messi or Ronaldo and can score at the drop of a hat.

However what difference does it make if he sits down or goes down the tunnel. He trains everyday and the guys know he's with them. He can't do anything from the dugout so why not go down. Bad reporting and Talk sport saying he is back to his petulant best is a joke.

I do think though it is time to cash in on him and bring someone in who can improve the team and give it another dimension like taking players on and committing players to create space which is all we lack.

Time up in my opinion but he's given me some great memories!!

[King Kev]

Didn't Silva and Tevez also go straight down the tunnel when they were replaced?

[Mase]

Didn't Silva and Tevez also go straight down the tunnel when they were replaced?

Yes.

[freshie]

I don't see what he did that was so wrong yesterday. In a game where he was being systematically fouled (an obvious part of Martin O'Neill's gameplan) and got no decisions from the referee, I thought he kept his usually volatile temperament in check. I actually felt sorry for him with the number of decisions that incorrectly went against him. It certainly wasn't his worst performance for us and he was unlucky not to score immediately before being substituted

As for him walking down the tunnel, others on here have pointed out that tevez and silva did exactly the same so no story there - typical anti-city media bollox

[sheblue]

I am glad we're not relying on him at the moment, 4th choice now.

[freshie]

Really hope Mancini was scouting Falcao last night and that we have a chance of signing him

[Ted Hughes]

Didn't Silva and Tevez also go straight down the tunnel when they were replaced?

Yes.

Didn't Adam Johnson ?

[Hazy2]

mario has the look of a player/person who does what he wants when he wants.what more can we do to get the best from him. Mancini has done all he can Mario needs to help himself or for all concerned go to AC and good luck.

[Tokyo Blue]

mario has the look of a player/person who does what he wants when he wants.what more can we do to get the best from him. Mancini has done all he can Mario needs to help himself or for all concerned go to AC and good luck.

I am glad we're not relying on him at the moment, 4th choice now.

I'm starting to veer towards the 'I really couldn't be arsed if he never plays for City again' view personally.

Let's be honest, we're kidding ourselves that he is a potent striker. He doesn't look like scoring, contributes little and rarely shows any talent on the park. He still looks more like costing us a game rather than winning one. If we hadn't paid a king's ransom for him people would say he's shit.
Not worth the trouble he brings.
he's been here long enough to have shown a fuck sight more that we've seen if he really does have it.
If any club offered 10 million or more I'd hope we'd rip their hands off.
On the plus side . . . . He takes a good penno.

Baaaaaa!