The Manchester City Society II

Sure, stats dont show everything, but they certainly add strength to one persons argument, and that side of the argument is mine

Go ahead. And then show me how you can prove these other things favour Kompany not Vidic, and then prove how its not completely illogical and stupid to compare him via a person who has played 6 games. Id also like to remind you of who got PL player of the year last season. Thanks.

Ill be waiting

See you're falling into the exact same trap everyone does with him. There is Balotelli the man and footballer, and Balotelli the myth. Watch his interview with Noel (?) Gallagher, he's fairly humble and even respectful to Noel, now the side point is that is clear professionalism because he's trying to please the City fans, but also he denies the majority of the off the pitch stories.

Off the pitch wise, occasionally he is out late and yes there have been a few incidents. But on the other hand he doesn't smoke or drink. The difference between Balotelli and others is exposure; there was a time you could go into town and find Adam Johnson on a given night. But does that sell papers? Of course not because Johnson is only doing what this country considers normal. Christ even Gareth Barry at whatever age he is has been caught out.

On the pitch he argues and gets sent off, but so do a lot of players. I remember just a year or two ago Rooney charging round the pitch against that Danish team kicking out at players. It doesn't make either of them right but it happens. Similarly there were disciplinary issues with Cantona, Ronaldo (Constantly kicking out) etc. My point is these things happen with talented players, maybe it is that they think they're bigger than the club or whatever. But they think that because, frankly, they generally are fantastic players. You either settle for an average golden boy or a golden insane man.

But really it brings me onto my next, and crucial point. Can you actually seperate the unpredictability of his temprament from the unpredictability of his play? Personally I think not, they are one and the same. Yes his lack of respect for authority leads to stupid decisions but it also means he stands up to be counted in big games. The decision to slot home through a crowded box to open the scoring at OT, deciding the round the keeper away to Chelsea, having the *******s to never miss a fecking penalty etc. If Rooney mellowed out would he have the same drive to win? Who knows, but I doubt it.

This is why people need to look at the whole package. Balotelli has scored so so many important goals this season that I've lost count, I used to keep a list in my head I could reel off but it got too long. Take away those goals and we're not even in the title race, we're battling for 2nd today and United have the title wrapped up. It doesn't matter he's "lost" us the game today (He hasn't) when thats weighed up against so many he's won for us.

Personally will lose a lot of respect for Mancini if he destroys the lad. He brought him into this pressure cooker, if he doesn't let his career flourish like it should he's done a lot of wrong by the boy. Mancini chose to play him out wide knowing how frustrated he gets, i thought he learned that lesson last season but apparently not.

See you're falling into the exact same trap everyone does with him. There is Balotelli the man and footballer, and Balotelli the myth. Watch his interview with Noel (?) Gallagher, he's fairly humble and even respectful to Noel, now the side point is that is clear professionalism because he's trying to please the City fans, but also he denies the majority of the off the pitch stories.

Off the pitch wise, occasionally he is out late and yes there have been a few incidents. But on the other hand he doesn't smoke or drink. The difference between Balotelli and others is exposure; there was a time you could go into town and find Adam Johnson on a given night. But does that sell papers? Of course not because Johnson is only doing what this country considers normal. Christ even Gareth Barry at whatever age he is has been caught out.

On the pitch he argues and gets sent off, but so do a lot of players. I remember just a year or two ago Rooney charging round the pitch against that Danish team kicking out at players. It doesn't make either of them right but it happens. Similarly there were disciplinary issues with Cantona, Ronaldo (Constantly kicking out) etc. My point is these things happen with talented players, maybe it is that they think they're bigger than the club or whatever. But they think that because, frankly, they generally are fantastic players. You either settle for an average golden boy or a golden insane man.

But really it brings me onto my next, and crucial point. Can you actually seperate the unpredictability of his temprament from the unpredictability of his play? Personally I think not, they are one and the same. Yes his lack of respect for authority leads to stupid decisions but it also means he stands up to be counted in big games. The decision to slot home through a crowded box to open the scoring at OT, deciding the round the keeper away to Chelsea, having the *******s to never miss a fecking penalty etc. If Rooney mellowed out would he have the same drive to win? Who knows, but I doubt it.

This is why people need to look at the whole package. Balotelli has scored so so many important goals this season that I've lost count, I used to keep a list in my head I could reel off but it got too long. Take away those goals and we're not even in the title race, we're battling for 2nd today and United have the title wrapped up. It doesn't matter he's "lost" us the game today (He hasn't) when thats weighed up against so many he's won for us.


Personally will lose a lot of respect for Mancini if he destroys the lad. He brought him into this pressure cooker, if he doesn't let his career flourish like it should he's done a lot of wrong by the boy. Mancini chose to play him out wide knowing how frustrated he gets, i thought he learned that lesson last season but apparently not.

Where do you think Balotelli's next club is? Can't imagine any English club going after him. Such a talent, yet such a liability. I feel so bad for him

Touching on a different topic here, but how has Pizarro been for you guys so far? In reserve as well as first-team games, if anybody knows (or just first-team - just want to know how he's been getting along, really).

He's generally been good. He had a poor game at Swansea but has otherwise been a breath of fresh air - in particular in the home game against Porto.

His vision is immense and he's shockingly good at making 60-yard passes. The only disappointment for me, is his lack of playing time. Given how poor we've been at times, he could - and in my opinion - should have made more appearances.

Thanks. Yeah, his vision has usually been his stand-out attribute over his career, hasn't it (at Roma, anyway). What about in terms of energy/stamina? Has age caught up with him yet?

Touching on a different topic here, but how has Pizarro been for you guys so far? In reserve as well as first-team games, if anybody knows (or just first-team - just want to know how he's been getting along, really).

I'm not talking about those I'm talking about being caught out breaking curfew (pretty sure he does drink), throwing darts at people, fireworks. I don't care if he parks on double yellows or gives money to tramps or not.

As I said I think he does drink. He knows he will get snapped and make his manager look like a prick yet he still does it. I would expect him to show Mancini a little more respect than the other two.

Rooney gets pissed off for England and when the team isn't playing well. When was the last time he got sent off for United? He's been playing very cleanly this season, hasn't been booked at all. No point comparing Balotelli to Cantona, he not in the same league. He got 6 reds in his 5 seasons, Mario has 2 this season. When was the last time Rooney did something to cost United a game or let us down at a crucial time? Not often.

You certainly can, none of those things have anything to do with his ability.

He's not been that good. His goal scoring is really not much better than Hernandez's for United, almost exact same pitch time. How many of Balotelli's 13 goals have been penalties too. He's not some kind of goal scoring machine. And for £24m I would hope so.


Rooney played outwide for a long time in his youth. Good players will succeed, other won't. Mancini has wrapped him in cotton wool and stuck by him for too long. Balo needs to grow up.

Tbph whilst I enjoy Balotellis off field nonsense, the stuff he gets up to on the field is completely his own fault and it will be his own fault if his career peters out. I really don't see what club is going to be able to cover his transfer fee and wages as well as put up with his nonsense.

If I were him and could go anywhere I would choose Liverpool. Would be given the central goal scoring role and would thrive on chance after chance, little expectation after the last few strikers but importantly their fans and manager are very loyal and would back him to the hilt. Genuinely feel he'd hit 20-30 league goals and we'd see Liverpool back where they belong. Suarez behind Balotelli would be unreal.

Possibly the first post of yours that I have ever agreed with. Maybe I'm just tired...

I don't think Mario is the issue. Mancini has shown he can't get tactics right and has poor man management skills. The team is lacking in motivation and unity and the buck stops with the manager on this. It would be rash to sack him but I'd rather have Mario and Tevez stay and Mancini leave if it came to that choice. They are two great players who despite the controversy do want to stay at City but perhaps its Mancini they dislike and not the club? We shall see.

I agree, with the right manager, balotelli can become a class player. He is a hothead, but so are loads of people, tevez has never refused to play for united or west ham either. He may be a money grabber, but he gives it his all when he can play. You just have to look at the treatment of adebayor and robinho to show his poor man management skills.

I have been saying this all season. You don't go to say that someone is only at the club because he is a money grabber, that's unprofessional.