Mario, time to say goodbye?

[pennypennytannerbob]

Mario stays for me please. Apart from his talent, which is the type I want to see and appreciate I see a young man with character, loads of it, and I like that. He is passionate because he wants to achieve things, I like that too. He isn't old or wise enough yet to know that you get your justice coldly not in the heat of a moment or in the glare of the camera, but he will learn. He will also learn that Talk Shite aren't interested in him per se, only controversy and therefore their ratings. When he donates £200 to this or that cause, he is being a decent human being, I like that. When he picks out another non-linear channel to slot the ball through and beyond the reach of another keeper, from outside the box, in to the bottom corner of the net... I like that every time. I like his back-heels that fox me every time. I like that one day he could join the special ones, and there are very few. Right at this moment fame and fortune have gone to his head, but that will wear off, experience will teach him, this feed-back will teach him. I believe he will get a 4 match ban, not because on the balance of probability I think he deserves it because he meant it but because he has been tried by the mob already and the noose is already dangling over the branch. Give him another (and another and another) break, it will be worth it. Alternatively... find him a good woman, I'm sure he'll be a great family man.

 

[Fame Monster]

How much was he signed for? About £25M? How many times has he performed like a £25M player? I'd say twice - against United at Old Trafford and against Stoke in the final. He had a decent game in the semi-final against United but nothing more than that. He looked better than he was because he was shite in every other game that season. Let's not forget the enormous amount of responsibility he must take for costing us a possible Europa League title. Even against Villa when he scored the hat-trick, he wasn't one of our better players.

He's improved a lot this season, started working harder, started getting on with the game more, but he's still a liability. His shot is his defining quality and a game-changing quality. However, that must be weighed against his idiocy which is equally game-changing, and has cost us much more than he's won us. He's a good player to have on the bench when we can't pass through teams but we all know he won't accept that like a professional.

Now all that's subjective. You might think he's been great every time he's played (I don't), you might think his escapades come before the good of City (I don't), you might think he's very quick (I don't), you might think he works hard (I don't), you might think his first touch and passing are world class (I don't), you might even think he's intelligent (I don't). These are points that can be argued over and over.

What you can't argue is that he has an atrocious disciplinary record and that he's had more fights with his team-mates than any other player. It won't be popular here, but I care more about the rest of the team than Balotelli. I think there's more than enough reasons to believe he's bad for team-spirit. However entertaining you might find the made up stories about him going to the library or whatever, if he's getting sent off and suspended every 6 weeks then he's going to seriously piss off the other players and the manager. I also think there's reason to believe that the other players and the manager care more about the success of City than Balotelli given his disappointment when Inter won one off the biggest games in their history and he started kicking off, and given that he refused to applaud the fans when we beat Newcastle because he was a substitute.

If you think City will be better in the long term if we keep Balotelli and just accept that he's going to cost us every now and again then that's fair enough. But if you think this is all the media's making then you've got your head in the sand. There is a problem and something needs to be done. Hopefully, he'll stop letting us down and come good but I can't see it. For that reason then, if Napoli offered £5M for him, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

 

[Marvin]

Steep learning curve. Someone else will reap the benefits if we were to sell him

He's growing as a player here, and can develop into one of the best in the world with our support

 

[razinho]

How much was he signed for? About £25M? How many times has he performed like a £25M player? I'd say twice - against United at Old Trafford and against Stoke in the final. He had a decent game in the semi-final against United but nothing more than that. He looked better than he was because he was shite in every other game that season. Let's not forget the enormous amount of responsibility he must take for costing us a possible Europa League title. Even against Villa when he scored the hat-trick, he wasn't one of our better players.

He's improved a lot this season, started working harder, started getting on with the game more, but he's still a liability. His shot is his defining quality and a game-changing quality. However, that must be weighed against his idiocy which is equally game-changing, and has cost us much more than he's won us. He's a good player to have on the bench when we can't pass through teams but we all know he won't accept that like a professional.

Now all that's subjective. You might think he's been great every time he's played (I don't), you might think his escapades come before the good of City (I don't), you might think he's very quick (I don't), you might think he works hard (I don't), you might think his first touch and passing are world class (I don't), you might even think he's intelligent (I don't). These are points that can be argued over and over.

What you can't argue is that he has an atrocious disciplinary record and that he's had more fights with his team-mates than any other player. It won't be popular here, but I care more about the rest of the team than Balotelli. I think there's more than enough reasons to believe he's bad for team-spirit. However entertaining you might find the made up stories about him going to the library or whatever, if he's getting sent off and suspended every 6 weeks then he's going to seriously piss off the other players and the manager. I also think there's reason to believe that the other players and the manager care more about the success of City than Balotelli given his disappointment when Inter won one off the biggest games in their history and he started kicking off, and given that he refused to applaud the fans when we beat Newcastle because he was a substitute.

If you think City will be better in the long term if we keep Balotelli and just accept that he's going to cost us every now and again then that's fair enough. But if you think this is all the media's making then you've got your head in the sand. There is a problem and something needs to be done. Hopefully, he'll stop letting us down and come good but I can't see it. For that reason then, if Napoli offered £5M for him, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

Probably why you'll never work in football!

 

[Jumanji]

Don't even bother.

Nashark hates Balotelli. He's the same that said Welbeck was better than Mario.

 

[King Geedorah]

How much was he signed for? About £25M? How many times has he performed like a £25M player?

£25M strikers score or assist in the big games when it matters.

Balo got the winner against Spurs, winner against Everton, assist for the winner against Arsenal, two opening goals + Evans sent off against United, opener against Chelsea, equaliser in Napoli, opener against Newcastle etc etc.

He is the only one of our current attackers playing close to their price tag imo.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

on sunday he fucked up.

Did he fuck, because if him we got all 3 points. Now maybe Dzeko or Aguero could step up for once in the games he's going to miss.

no he fucked up, he would have won us the game anyway as it happened in a seperate incident, but he didn't need to get himself a 4 match ban in the process, did he?

 

[me myself and i]

hes a constant time bomb, sorry but he needs to go this will only bring more problems in the city house hold, hes a huge liability and has not really done much for our football, simple as.. an unstable fool...

 

[mammyjam]

and this is the moment I quit bluemoon in disgust can't believe what i'm reading possibly the worst thread i've ever seen i can't even put into words...

mario stays and needs our support


i'm going to loose so much face when i come back bored

 

[yatesy94]

Not having another sturridge/chelsea whole saga again. Balotelli is a young world-class player and it's players like him that are the future of football and the future of Manchester City. He'll mature more with age I've no doubt about that.

 

[uwe rosler 28]

Only time will tell but he's put us in a very bad situation 2 strikers for next 4 games. games where teams are going to defend against us he's shown glimpses of being a world class footballer but defentiley is'nt a this time i have a feeling he may cost us the title with his stupid moments of madness i'd defo send him back to italy in the summer in a swap deal that was talked about on the first page.

 

[AustinBlue]

My vote is that we stick by Balotelli. The other players will say that on the training pitch he has skills that no-one can match. In a game that relies on fine margins of ability to tip the balance between winning and losing, Mario is one of the few who can rise to that level.

You ask United fans if they are glad Cantona played for them. He was the tipping point for them, and his character was WAY more questionable. A history of on field violence, and off field shenanigans that included sleeping with the Leeds WAGS.

 

[Bobbies Black Bins]

Only time will tell but he's put us in a very bad situation 2 strikers for next 4 games. games where teams are going to defend against us he's shown glimpses of being a world class footballer but defentiley is'nt a this time i have a feeling he may cost us the title with his stupid moments of madness i'd defo send him back to italy in the summer in a swap deal that was talked about on the first page.

Unless Dzeko can regain some form i see us as with one striker (Kun) at the moment.

 

[King Geedorah]

on sunday he fucked up.

Did he fuck, because if him we got all 3 points. Now maybe Dzeko or Aguero could step up for once in the games he's going to miss.

no he fucked up, he would have won us the game anyway as it happened in a seperate incident, but he didn't need to get himself a 4 match ban in the process, did he?

Need is a funny word. Would he be the same player if he played less instinctively? Who knows but I certainly wouldn't want to risk losing the player we have right now, because honestly he's the difference between us drawing/losing so many big games last season and winning so many this.

 

[Fame Monster]

Don't even bother.

Nashark hates Balotelli. He's the same that said Welbeck was better than Mario.

Discuss my posts by all means, but don't act like a prick.

When have I ever said that Welbeck was better than Balotelli?

 

[r.soleofsalford]

My vote is that we stick by Balotelli. The other players will say that on the training pitch he has skills that no-one can match. In a game that relies on fine margins of ability to tip the balance between winning and losing, Mario is one of the few who can rise to that level.

You ask United fans if they are glad Cantona played for them. He was the tipping point for them, and his character was WAY more questionable. A history of on field violence, and off field shenanigans that included sleeping with the Leeds WAGS.

are you glad you had cantona

 

[mick10]

Only got lookin at this thread now and good god are you insane?
Thats the people wanting him to go.
WTF is wrong with you?
Not much staying power people. A bit of loyalty please.
I've liked the guy from day one and nothing has changed.
If you removed the cards he's received for sweet FA it would make a hell of a difference.
So he's a 'reputation'. I really thing that's an issue with the officials who have fabricated this senario.
Listened to Graham Poll last night on Monday night club and you're still a fuckin tosser Poll. He openly admits that his reputation will get him a card (already stated in this thread) , and if he was refereeing the game he'd keep an eye on him from the kick off.
You tosser's have painted this reputation on him Poll!
I can honestly say I don't consider myself to be a person who believes in large organisations with conspiracy theories (agenda's maybe) but this is getting beyond a joke.
Keep him!!!!!!!!!

 

[twinkletoes]

Agendas and conspiracy theories are the flavour of the month at the moment.

Do the cabal want rid of Mario to install their dream manager...?













tee hee hee

 

[samharris]

Well said Lee, you've got a talent for cutting through the bullshit.

For a guy who is "well-respected" on bluemoon what an embarrassing thread...

i am 100% behind Mario

There seems to be a lot of people missing the point ( unless I am? )

To me the question being posed is could Mario progress further and quick than he can here due to the fact he gets hounded on and off the pitch in the UK?

Its nowt to do with backing him or not.

His reputation as a hot head certainly gets him into some situations with refs and opposition players that if it were another player would go unnoticed or un punished..

He is earmarked for special attention by players knowing that in most cases it gets a reaction from the referees...Can we honestly say that his yellow against spuds was warranted when many challenges far worse didnt recieve anything??

He needs to control the " how dare you try to tackle me" attitude that leads to these petty outbursts and reactions..
When he learns to stop the reactions he will be fine...til then god love him hes Mario Balotelli the hot head....But City's hothead...and most of us love him.

 

[BlueMoonRisin’]

Mario has endeared himself to the majority of blues for his madcap petulance and bizzare genorosity towards Manchester's homeless as well as being super cool whatever he does. He oozes charisma and is a natural entertainer. I even admire his cocksure arrogance on the pitch, and it's become genuinely hard to dislike the guy. I even read a thread on united forum 'Red cafe' and many reds wrote that they'd love him at OT. He's certainly a character lighting up the league from commonplace soulless greed.

However, Mario was a naughty boy on sunday who needs to learn a hard lesson that he cannot get away with a mad moment of grotesque wanton thuggery towards a fellow profesional. He is lucky IMO that he only got away with a four game ban, i'd of banned the barmy bastard for at least six!
As much as i like Mario, i think it maybe time to find a reliable replacement, as he is a 'Bartonesque' head fuck ticking timebomb that could even cost us the league, and the club cannot be a circus stage for any more idiotic clowns to perform on!

Having rewatched the incident again for the umpteenth time, my opinion is even more decided than before. I could not see what all the fuss was about from where i was in the ground as there were players blocking my view. Real time on TV from the main match camera shows nothing sinister, but when the other camera angles show it, particularly in slow motion, then and only then does it look like intent.

As Mario strikes the ball, the impelling momentum of his right(shooting) leg spins him round 180 degrees so his back is away from a grounded parker. As he(Mario) lands, he then backs into him and it then appears like he innocently trod on parkers hand. From this, Mario knew Parker was on the floor but couldn't possibly have known how he lay or what position his head was as he was looking away from him. The moment that he landed(take another look gents) he appeared to have enough balance in steadying himself to stay on his feet. If not, he would of tried to put his right leg forward to steady balance, but he didn't. He craftily back heeled/stamped with his right foot on Parker in a deliberate and intentional way IMHO. The split second he realises guilt, he then threw himself to the floor as if to try and confuse Webb in a cunning magician like(sleight of hand) way.

He's now been yellow carded 16 times and seen red 3 times, but had it not been for Mancini taking him off when on a yellow, he would no doubt of lost his head to be sent off more. Like Cantona could, his sheer brilliance can and does change a game in an instant. He also has a hothead like cantona had and both walk/walked a very thin line of genius/madness.

At times Mario looks to be learning to keep his cool and learning from previous mistakes which is fine and it is a pleasure to see his football brilliance in a City shirt. I want us to keep him as he has world class ability. But, if he cannot learn then Mancini has to let him go. His card is marked even more than it was so he surely must learn this time, or it's game over for him at City i think.