woof woof ! » Sat Aug 23, 2014 9:50 am wrote:lakes10 » Sat Aug 23, 2014 8:57 am wrote:I don't get you lot sometimes....is he not what we have been looking for...a top striker.
this is a great move.
We all bang on about his "ability" and I fear some of us may be getting a tad carried away.
"A Top Striker", is he really ? if that means one who sticks the ball in the net more often than most then we should perhaps have a look at some sobering stats from Liverpool Echo online.Moments of brilliance continue to be counterbalanced by issues of temperament and discipline. He has never scored more than 14 league goals in a season. His record at Milan - 30 in 54 games - is impressive but break it down and you'll discover that of the 26 that came in Serie A, less than half (12) came from open play. The rest were penalties (9) and free kicks (5). Only a couple were against teams in Italy's top four as well.
A talented footballer without doubt but top strikerAll I can say is hopefully he becomes one but right now 12 goals (from open play) in 54 games is hardly the work of a top striker. In the 2013/14 prem season at least ten players exceeded Balotellis' score whilst playing fewer games and they include the likes of Loic Remy, Wilfred Bony and Jay Rodriguez, Even 4 million pound man Rickie Lambert came close to matching Balotelli with 10 goals from open play.
Don't get me wrong, despite some reservations I won't be unhappy to see us sign the talent that is Balotelli, but those who think Balotelli is a "top striker" who will start scoring week in week out may find themselves somewhat disappointed.
ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:16 pm wrote:I feel a bit sorry for Mario, at the beginning of the season even though we were playing shyte as a team he was generally one of our better players, okay he wasn't scoring but his hold up play and link up play was pretty good.
Then out of the blue Brendan decides to single him out and have a go at him about his goal scoring record, the lad had only been here five minutes and I wouldn't have even minded if he was our worst player, but he wasn't.
Ever since then Mario has hardly passed to a team mate, he's shot on sight at every opportunity and snatched at everything like a player under pressure.
What's more why are we hoofing it up to him like he's Andy Carroll? His game is obviously about playing it into feet so why are we launching ball after ball into the ionosphere?
kazza » Sun Oct 19, 2014 6:12 pm wrote:ycsatbjywtbiastkamb » Sun Oct 19, 2014 5:16 pm wrote:I feel a bit sorry for Mario, at the beginning of the season even though we were playing shyte as a team he was generally one of our better players, okay he wasn't scoring but his hold up play and link up play was pretty good.
Then out of the blue Brendan decides to single him out and have a go at him about his goal scoring record, the lad had only been here five minutes and I wouldn't have even minded if he was our worst player, but he wasn't.
Ever since then Mario has hardly passed to a team mate, he's shot on sight at every opportunity and snatched at everything like a player under pressure.
What's more why are we hoofing it up to him like he's Andy Carroll? His game is obviously about playing it into feet so why are we launching ball after ball into the ionosphere?
I supported all Liverpool players whether they scored or were playing well or not. Kuyte, Lucas, Skrtel, Crouch when he first started and couldn't hit an @rse with a banjo because those players gave 100% and worked hard for the team. Watching Mario however I am having serious reservations about him in the side as he seems so disintrested and that can be contagious and not good for team spirit. I can live with him missing easy chances but I cannot take the lack of effort and passion which he is showing. I have not seen him show a real passion to win since the first game of the season where he chased (some) lost causes. He does not even seem to be getting pi$$ed off that he is getting rough treatment which again seems to show a lack of passion. When he came, everyone said that he has undoubted talent but you have to curb his petulent behavior (red cards etc) but so far he has shown little talent and relativly good behavior towards other players and refs, basically the opposite of what we were promised. I'd rather have the talent frankly and I am not sure it is valid to blame the manager. If Mario gives 100% most will support him whether he scores or not, if he continues to show little passion the fans will turn on him and rightly so. I think the ball is in his court and he will only have himself to blame. More important than the 31 goals we miss by selling Suarez is the enthusiasm that seemed to go with him. Last year the team were enjoying their football, this year they are not as the most enthusiastic player is now gone, and been replace by someone that does not give a sh1t. A lack of passion is as contagious as enthusiasm.
I do not care about donations to tramps, buying trampolines, funky haircuts or any other cr@p he was supposed to do, I care about a passion to win and the ego of a player that wants to show he is the best on the field. Up untill now I am dissapointed in him as a player.
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