Would you sell balo?

[nicklucas]

Yes without a shadow - he's a luxury we can't afford and don't need. The only thing that remotely interests Balotelli is himself.

Personality aside we still have at least three more reliable options in that position. Time to admit defeat for me, but I doubt RM sees things this way.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

It's not fair, he's a liability, he's an old cunt. Get a grip will you.

How do you explain away the positives. Did he not prove a central strikers role tonight?

I don't explain away the positives. I simply don't see them enough to warrant him staying as the teachers pet.

He himself expects to be spoken about on par with messi and Ronaldo. Well those two are unstoppable. Balo is 4th choice.

I'm only expecting him to either deliver on his own words or knuckle down and work hard.

[Im_Spartacus]

It's not though is it? He has had many good games over the 2 and a bit years, he has had games where he's done nothing but score and he's had games that he's done nothing in.

Only 5 players outscored him last season in all competitions.

Van Persie (37)
Rooney (35)
Aguero (30)
Dempsey (23)
Yakubu (18)

and every single one of them more or less started every single game, Mario didn't, he was suspended, taught a lesson or injured. Now imagine what he would be like without any of them excuses, it's scary. The question is, is it worth waiting for and in my opinion without a shadow of doubt. We can afford to both financially and patiently. If he was expected to be the main man then the answer would be no because he still can't be trusted but when you have Tevez, Aguero and Dzeko in your squad you can afford to have someone like Balotelli who you know will act stupid but still get you 17 goals. Name another 4th choice striker by attitude and performance who gets that many goals, there is none.

t

Dzeko is also a 1 in 2 player. He still comes in for considerable criticism, sometimes rightly so.

I dont think balotellis goal record is in question. You would jump all over me if i said "but he took 5 or 6 penalties and most of his other goals were goalline tap ins" eager to prove that to be the exception rather than the rule such as his goal at the swamp or the goal he curled in the top corner (cant remember who against)

But its what we have to put up with to get that return is simply not worth it.

Let me ask one question......when tevez leaves at the end of next season, will balotelli be fit to lace his boots, to replace his workrate, endeavour for the team, and to help the team defend from the front? Because if if plays as he does now, Mancini will be losing a big part of the team in the process, and will have to compensate for that loss elsewhere on the pitch by all 9 other outfield players working harder to cover for Mario.......unless.......he learns how to play like he did int the cup final week in week out.

All evidence after over two seasons of development, is that he is not learning to fit in with the way mancini wants his team to approach a game, wheras Dzeko, whilst inconsistent, at peast appears to be making the effort and doesnt look like a walking red card when tackling a player

[Mase]

PS. Where's Ted, has someone upset him?

Too many people asking for his opinion on anything and everything probably.

[dazby]

He's on holidays. He mentioned it last week.

[blues-clues]

Goals per game is a relevant statistic of course but City as a team are wasteful. Not just of chances where we do get a shot on goal but of all chances to score, good crosses that don't get met etc. We started last season well but this season in particular we do not look as though we are going to get 4,5 or 6 goals against weaker teams.

Hard to say who is the most profligate of our strikers but my over riding feeling towards Mario is one of frustration because he will not achieve his potential until his ability is not matched by his consistency or effort. Mario has been indulged by Mancini it is time for him to repay that faith or it will cost them both.

[dazby]

Name a team that's more efficient.

[Mike J]

In a heartbeat. for what we paid for him. Huge waste of talent, he isnt bothered.

[Ted Hughes]

He's on holidays. He mentioned it last week.

Did I ?

Fucking hell, I must be losing it, I was away working.

As for Balotelli, I have no doubt he has the ability to be better than our other strikers.

I do have a doubt that he will actually acheive that level but it's far too early to say either way. My problem with Mario is that I don't understand exactly what it is that we want him to do. I can see a set job that each of the other 3 strikers have but I can't figure out what Mario's job is supposed to be. People go on about us not playing to Dzeko's strengths but we play far less to Mario's; we just stick him in the team unit & expect him to fit.

In the past, he often didn't work hard enough or got into trouble. This season, he has worked hard & avoided trouble but still been criticised, unfairly, for both.

Btw, Marwood got a slaugtering pre season, for stuff nobody could fairly pin on him, but has just opened his trap re Balotelli in a totally unprofessional manner, which, if it led to him being fired, would serve him right.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

There has to be a point at which we stop making excuses for him.

He is what now, 22 years old, and with all respect to any blue who disagrees with this point, he does NOTHING on the pitch which justifies the indulgence he is afforded by the manager. He is good at penalties, beyond that, he brings nothing at all to the table.

Have wanted him to succeed, but he just doesnt look like he wants to succeed. He is in his 3rd season and by the end of this year you will have been able to count his good games on one hand unless something changes.

If an offer came in, we would be fucking mental not to take it

This.

I still hope he will turn that massive potential into production but at 22 it seems more and more unlikely by the day. 30m, yes please.

[The Foggy Blue]

No I woudln't sell Balo.

What an absolutely ridiculous question.

[Alioune DVToure]

No.

[london blue 2]

No I woudln't sell Balo.

What an absolutely ridiculous question.

Why? People say Yaya doesnt work hard enough, people say we should drop our captain, people say that Barry is too slow, or that Lescott is shit, so what makes you think that Balo shouldn't be questioned?

[The Foggy Blue]

No I woudln't sell Balo.

What an absolutely ridiculous question.

Why? People say Yaya doesnt work hard enough, people say we should drop our captain, people say that Barry is too slow, or that Lescott is shit, so what makes you think that Balo shouldn't be questioned?

Because it's pure shit-stirring nonsense?

[Mingchester Mingy]

Yes, his form will return when he is in an AC Milan shirt his time with us sadly and I mean sadly is to stop start, for me we need Higuain, Falcao types, Mancini had us pressing last season from the front. Balo does not have the fire in his belly to do that for us, He can torment Pique for the Italians, as we saw in the Euro's and be a threat. For us he is marked by big and daft defenders and runs the risk of a red card in almost every game I see him. Time to accept his time is up, I hope he proves me wrong. My son loves him for his attitude I depair with him for his attitude, suppose that is an age thing. Calmness on a last min penalty you cannot buy, Ready to kill someone during the game for the slightest injustice or tackle. I think he owes us he acts like we owe him something for being here.

Agreed. I can't stand seeing him act like a child anymore. The lack of hustle makes me sick....not to mention when he subs he goes to the tunnel like a 5 year old. Bye bye for 30 or less I say.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Yes, his form will return when he is in an AC Milan shirt his time with us sadly and I mean sadly is to stop start, for me we need Higuain, Falcao types, Mancini had us pressing last season from the front. Balo does not have the fire in his belly to do that for us, He can torment Pique for the Italians, as we saw in the Euro's and be a threat. For us he is marked by big and daft defenders and runs the risk of a red card in almost every game I see him. Time to accept his time is up, I hope he proves me wrong. My son loves him for his attitude I depair with him for his attitude, suppose that is an age thing. Calmness on a last min penalty you cannot buy, Ready to kill someone during the game for the slightest injustice or tackle. I think he owes us he acts like we owe him something for being here.

Agreed. I can't stand seeing him act like a child anymore. The lack of hustle makes me sick....not to mention when he subs he goes to the tunnel like a 5 year old. Bye bye for 30 or less I say.

Anymore? Was there a time when you could stand it?

[Cocacolajojo1]

Yes, his form will return when he is in an AC Milan shirt his time with us sadly and I mean sadly is to stop start, for me we need Higuain, Falcao types, Mancini had us pressing last season from the front. Balo does not have the fire in his belly to do that for us, He can torment Pique for the Italians, as we saw in the Euro's and be a threat. For us he is marked by big and daft defenders and runs the risk of a red card in almost every game I see him. Time to accept his time is up, I hope he proves me wrong. My son loves him for his attitude I depair with him for his attitude, suppose that is an age thing. Calmness on a last min penalty you cannot buy, Ready to kill someone during the game for the slightest injustice or tackle. I think he owes us he acts like we owe him something for being here.

Agreed. I can't stand seeing him act like a child anymore. The lack of hustle makes me sick....not to mention when he subs he goes to the tunnel like a 5 year old. Bye bye for 30 or less I say.

Anymore? Was there a time when you could stand it?

No that time has probably never existed but on he goes, like a benign Duracell bunny on a mission.

Back on topic: Balotelli... I like the guy, or rather, I like the footballer he is when everything is clicking. Despite that I often find it frustrating to see him play below par as often as he does. Ok, he's still young (ish), still not 24 mind, and I guess inconsistency is something that most football players have/display at that áge. But still, he's shown what a brilltastic football player he can be and therefore it's so disappointing to see him go missing as often as he does. On the plus side he starting to show a lot more defensive qualities and is actually covering space and not trying to kill other players when he goes for the ball. Covering space and performing his defensive duties is something I don't think he gets credit for. I'm not saying he's at Tevez's level when it comes to taking back the ball and chasing down players, but Tevez being Tevez would get praise, deservedly, if he performed defensively on Balotelli's level. Balotelli doesn't. I think that's a shame.

Perhaps is my answer by the way.

[mcfc1632]

Not until Mancini gives up on him.

He is going to be a top player in the next few years - I just hope he makes it with us in time for us to be wishing to offer a new contract - otherwise it will be elsewhere

[Pretty Boy Lee]

Because it's pure shit-stirring nonsense?

1st of all, the number of yes answers clearly shows its not a ridiculous question.

2nd, get fucked on the "it's shit stirring nonsense" line.

I fucking love my club and have zero reason to shit stir. I have the why always me shirt, Balo song as my ringtone and love all the stories about him. He's comedy gold.

That being said runout is we knocked back 40m in the off season and after hearing about players like falcao possibly going up for sale I wondered if we'd dropped a bollock by not offloading potential for proven commodity. It's a serious discussion point that I entered with no agenda other than starting chat in a boring international break,

[Blue Since 76]

Dzeko not long ago, Mario now. Nothing changes.

Maybe it's because they're so similar - both have shown us what they are capable of in flashes of brilliance and the odd game, but most games just frustrate. Dzeko has turned into a super sub and Mario is similar - QPR being a supreme example. He also brings the added concern that he'll chin someone in the few minutes he's on the pitch.

I think they're both made to look lazier than they are by having Tevez and Aguero as the alternative. They are probably the hardest working forwards in the league, so unless you're Dickov, you're going to look bad in comparison.

I wouldn't be happy having Dzeko or Balotelli as our front line strikers and the point last season when Tevez was golfing and Aguero was injured and we had to rely on them two proved it. They can't play together and neither managed to make a case as a lone striker. But as 3rd/4th choice, I doubt there's anyone better. Whether they'll want to stay as that long term is questionable, but I don't see someone like Falcao coming to be behind Aguero or Tevez.

If Guidetti gets fit and if he manages to look as good as he did in Holland then I'd be happy to sell either Dzeko or Mario. But that's still a big if at the moment.