Balotelli versus Benteke

[Cocacolajojo1]

Well it seems great minds were thinking alike.

While we're at it, is there any site where it would be possible to see to which players Aguero, Silva and Tevez provide their assists to in order to see if there's really a latino conspiracy going on in our team?

[Dameerto]

Mario's workrate has improved drastically this season imo, as has Dzeko's.

Neither are 'up with the best' though tbf but imo, for strikers, they are doing ok in that regard & don't deserve any shit (apart from Ed v Watford, which was awful).

IF it's true however, that Mario has one assist in 50 games, that is indefensible. I have criticised Aguero etc for not passing to him, (which they don't do enough) but that turns the whole thing on its head.

It simply can't be the case that one of your attackers goes 50 games with one assist. Its almost impossible. It can't be true surely ? Please somebody tell me it's bollox. The more I think of it, the worse it gets.

It's pretty damning:

Code: Select all

All comps 11/12
GS   SB   G   SH   SG   A   FC   FS   YC   RC
21   11   17   103   44   2   55   66   7   2

Prem 11/12
GS   SB   G   SH   SG   A   FC   FS   YC   RC
14   9   13   82   32   1   42   44   4   2

 All comps 12/13
GS   SB   G   SH   SG   A   FC   FS   YC   RC
 9   12   3   43   14   2   21   26   3   0

Prem 12/13
GS   SB   G   SH   SG   A   FC   FS   YC   RC
 7   7   1   34   6   0   18   20   2   0


GS: Games Started, SB: Used as Substitute, G: Goals, A: Assists, SH: Shots, SG: Shots on goal, YC: Yellow Cards, RC: Red Cards, FC: Fouls Committed, FS: Fouls Suffered, SV: Saves, GC: Goals conceded, W: W, L: Losses, D: Draws

It didn't indent as it should have, that's 17 goals 2 assists in total last season from 32 involvements, of which 13 goals and 1 assist were in the Prem (but what an assist) from 23 involvements.
This season it's 3 goals 2 assists in total this season from 21 involvements, with 1 goal zero assists in the league from 14 involvements.

[Dameerto]

Well it seems great minds were thinking alike.

While we're at it, is there any site where it would be possible to see to which players Aguero, Silva and Tevez provide their assists to in order to see if there's really a latino conspiracy going on in our team?

Ive not seen that level of detail - but maybe someone has done some online analysis by now of last season's data that the club released.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Mario's workrate has improved drastically this season imo, as has Dzeko's.

Neither are 'up with the best' though tbf but imo, for strikers, they are doing ok in that regard & don't deserve any shit (apart from Ed v Watford, which was awful).

IF it's true however, that Mario has one assist in 50 games, that is indefensible. I have criticised Aguero etc for not passing to him, (which they don't do enough) but that turns the whole thing on its head.

It simply can't be the case that one of your attackers goes 50 games with one assist. Its almost impossible. It can't be true surely ? Please somebody tell me it's bollox. The more I think of it, the worse it gets.

I would just add my comments re work rate have nothing whatsoever to do with assists.I just feel that without the ball, whether we are attacking or defending, Mario's work rate isn't good enough imo and certainly not up there with the best.With the ball he tends to look for a shot immediately or too often for a challenge so he can go down.

[Hazy2]

For a Striker ask yourself. Is he good at the following

Hold up Play
Link up
Leading the line
Aerial threat.

he is a the best penalty taker I have seen and he at times has the genius look about him, sadly we need it twice a week and he needs to find it in himself just as Andy Murray has in some ways.
I will say this Mario is cool, maybe to cool at times. Is he to cool to get dirty get sweaty and put in a shift. Whatever he is he IMHO will be happy as a pig in sjit back in Italy. To never look happy to score a goal for the greatest football club in the world for me is a message . Fuck this it is my Job it was shirt off look at my muscles for Italy.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

For a Striker ask yourself. Is he good at the following

Hold up Play
Link up
Leading the line
Aerial threat.

he is a the best penalty taker I have seen and he at times has the genius look about him, sadly we need it twice a week and he needs to find it in himself just as Andy Murray has in some ways.
I will say this Mario is cool, maybe to cool at times. Is he to cool to get dirty get sweaty and put in a shift. Whatever he is he IMHO will be happy as a pig in sjit back in Italy. To never look happy to score a goal for the greatest football club in the world for me is a message . Fuck this it is my Job it was shirt off look at my muscles for Italy.

I've asked myself and answered yes, yes, yes and yes. I have seen him perform admirably in all four of the attributes you list. His ability isn't the problem imo, it's the application of it that is.

The last time he scored for us he looked pretty happy when he was flashing his pearly whites at Tevez before their manly embrace.

[Hazy2]

For a Striker ask yourself. Is he good at the following

Hold up Play
Link up
Leading the line
Aerial threat.

he is a the best penalty taker I have seen and he at times has the genius look about him, sadly we need it twice a week and he needs to find it in himself just as Andy Murray has in some ways.
I will say this Mario is cool, maybe to cool at times. Is he to cool to get dirty get sweaty and put in a shift. Whatever he is he IMHO will be happy as a pig in sjit back in Italy. To never look happy to score a goal for the greatest football club in the world for me is a message . Fuck this it is my Job it was shirt off look at my muscles for Italy.

I've asked myself and answered yes, yes, yes and yes. I have seen him perform admirably in all four of the attributes you list. His ability isn't the problem imo, it's the application of it that is.

The last time he scored for us he looked pretty happy when he was flashing his pearly whites at Tevez before their manly embrace.

No he faked a sore foot and walked back to the half way with a look of wtf am I doing here.The usual I score who gives a fuck, he then drifted out of the game and Villa won 4-2 yep Villa the world beating defence

[Foreverinbluedreams]

For a Striker ask yourself. Is he good at the following

Hold up Play
Link up
Leading the line
Aerial threat.

he is a the best penalty taker I have seen and he at times has the genius look about him, sadly we need it twice a week and he needs to find it in himself just as Andy Murray has in some ways.
I will say this Mario is cool, maybe to cool at times. Is he to cool to get dirty get sweaty and put in a shift. Whatever he is he IMHO will be happy as a pig in sjit back in Italy. To never look happy to score a goal for the greatest football club in the world for me is a message . Fuck this it is my Job it was shirt off look at my muscles for Italy.

I've asked myself and answered yes, yes, yes and yes. I have seen him perform admirably in all four of the attributes you list. His ability isn't the problem imo, it's the application of it that is.

The last time he scored for us he looked pretty happy when he was flashing his pearly whites at Tevez before their manly embrace.

No he faked a sore foot and walked back to the half way with a look of wtf am I doing here.The usual I score who gives a fuck, he then drifted out of the game and Villa won 4-2 yep Villa the world beating defence

I take it you missed the Wigan game then?

[Hazy2]

Yes I did TBF, still think Balo has been a waste of money to this point. I am sure his ability will shine for a game or even 10 a full season never he is like Sturidge was for us all Hype.

[Ted Hughes]

For a Striker ask yourself. Is he good at the following

Hold up Play
Link up
Leading the line
Aerial threat.

he is a the best penalty taker I have seen and he at times has the genius look about him, sadly we need it twice a week and he needs to find it in himself just as Andy Murray has in some ways.
I will say this Mario is cool, maybe to cool at times. Is he to cool to get dirty get sweaty and put in a shift. Whatever he is he IMHO will be happy as a pig in sjit back in Italy. To never look happy to score a goal for the greatest football club in the world for me is a message . Fuck this it is my Job it was shirt off look at my muscles for Italy.

I've asked myself and answered yes, yes, yes and yes. I have seen him perform admirably in all four of the attributes you list. His ability isn't the problem imo, it's the application of it that is.

The last time he scored for us he looked pretty happy when he was flashing his pearly whites at Tevez before their manly embrace.

No he faked a sore foot and walked back to the half way with a look of wtf am I doing here.The usual I score who gives a fuck, he then drifted out of the game and Villa won 4-2 yep Villa the world beating defence

Strange how Mario got shit for that game when imo he was our best player, yet the defence let 4 goals in, with the worst display of defending we have seen since Boro away. Two goals at home v Villa & knocked out, & it was all Balotelli's fault, even though he scored the opener.

He did actually put Tevez through for several decent chaces as well, which Tevez fucked up. He went out wide, skinned their defender time & again, right in front of me, tracked back, again right in front of me, & then was getting abuse from people sat near me, telling him to do stuff he was already doing, right in front of them. Bizarre, but typical City.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

Yes I did TBF, still think Balo has been a waste of money to this point. I am sure his ability will shine for a game or even 10 a full season never he is like Sturidge was for us all Hype.

He was our third highest scorer in the season we won the PL. A bit more than all hype I'd say.

[Pretty Boy Lee]

He was our third highest scorer in the season we won the PL. A bit more than all hype I'd say.

Everything in perspective, Tevez did have decent stint on long service leave.

[Foreverinbluedreams]

He was our third highest scorer in the season we won the PL. A bit more than all hype I'd say.

Everything in perspective, Tevez did have decent stint on long service leave.

And Balo stepped up and scored something like 10 in 9 in the wake of the Tevez debacle.

[Ted Hughes]

Mancini: Balotelli stays
25 Jan 2013 10:53

Boss Roberto Mancini has scotched rumours of Mario Balotelli's exit and says the Italy striker is staying with City.


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has dismissed the latest rumours linking striker Mario Balotelli with a move to AC Milan.

There has been constant speculation suggesting the Italian could join the San Siro giants throughout the current transfer window.

The noises coming out of Italy tend to vary but after suggestions Milan had been priced out of a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, there are now reports he could move on loan.

But Mancini said: "It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn't have any requests about Mario or other players."

Mancini has maintained this firm line on the possibility of Balotelli leaving the Etihad Stadium, even after a training-ground bust-up with the player earlier this month.

Milan are interested in the forward with vice-president Adriano Galliani issuing regular statements on the possibility of a deal but the club are unwilling to meet City's reported £28million valuation.

Galliani has urged City to lower the price but Mancini says he has no intention of letting his former Inter protege leave, even on loan.

When asked if Balotelli was part of his long-term plans, Mancini said: "Yes, Mario has another three years on his contract."

Mancini was speaking at a press conference to preview his side's FA fourth-round tie at Stoke.

The Balotelli subject was the first to be discussed.

Mancini said: "For two years, the first question is always Mario!"

[Hazy2]

Mancini: Balotelli stays
25 Jan 2013 10:53

Boss Roberto Mancini has scotched rumours of Mario Balotelli's exit and says the Italy striker is staying with City.


Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has dismissed the latest rumours linking striker Mario Balotelli with a move to AC Milan.

There has been constant speculation suggesting the Italian could join the San Siro giants throughout the current transfer window.

The noises coming out of Italy tend to vary but after suggestions Milan had been priced out of a permanent deal for the 22-year-old, there are now reports he could move on loan.

But Mancini said: "It is not true, Mario stays here. We didn't have any requests about Mario or other players."

Mancini has maintained this firm line on the possibility of Balotelli leaving the Etihad Stadium, even after a training-ground bust-up with the player earlier this month.

Milan are interested in the forward with vice-president Adriano Galliani issuing regular statements on the possibility of a deal but the club are unwilling to meet City's reported £28million valuation.

Galliani has urged City to lower the price but Mancini says he has no intention of letting his former Inter protege leave, even on loan.

When asked if Balotelli was part of his long-term plans, Mancini said: "Yes, Mario has another three years on his contract."

Mancini was speaking at a press conference to preview his side's FA fourth-round tie at Stoke.

The Balotelli subject was the first to be discussed.

Mancini said: "For two years, the first question is always Mario!"

I bet he plays at the Brit. Should be interesting.

[Michael Brookes]

[Beefymcfc]

I like him. Mario that is.

[Arjan Van Schotte]

I like him. Mario that is.

i'm not a huge fan.

[Beefymcfc]

I like him. Mario that is.

i'm not a huge fan.

Just a fan though.

[Mase]

Just a fan though.

Boom!