Topic: The Attack

[The Infamous_LFC]

Well, well, well.

Ciro Immobile and Jackson Martinez would have been my top choices. I've seen the latter play about 1700 times, cause I watch the Portugese league mid-wank on the weekends etc.

oh and a few lads such as Domenico Berardi   , cause I watch Sassuolo, like all the time, cause well, I watch 60 games a weekend, cause I'm just that awesome.

All those are trash bruh

[stardorman]

Hard to believe we would go into the 2nd half of the season with Lambert, Balotelli, Borini & an injury ridden Sturridge. But Rodgers and the club have made no sounds that they'll spend anything and who could blame them after just outlaying £116mill (minus the Suarez money) personally I'd buy a decent GK, Quintero & Lacazette and be done with the whole affair.. 

[elpistolero7]

All those are trash bruh

Oye don't you knock my scouting skillz

[Red Sea]

. Hes a top player

How standards have slipped, he's really very average, and the sooner people look past the media driven hype mission to glorify his 'talent' the better.

[The Infamous_LFC]

Scored like 20 goals for the worst Ac Milan of recent history. Plus he had scored in big games before. Thats why he is a top player until he proves he isn't.

[Red Sea]

Scored like 20 goals for the worst Ac Milan of recent history. Plus he had scored in big games before. Thats why he is a top player until he proves he isn't.

That makes sense, wait, no it doesn't. Brendan doesn't seem convinced, and you should start to prepare for his imminent depature in January, really strange for such a top player.

[elpistolero7]

How standards have slipped, he's really very average, and the sooner people look past the media driven hype mission to glorify his 'talent' the better.

There's no denying there's a shit ton of talent in there. He's definitely not average.

[Danan]

That makes sense, wait, no it doesn't. Brendan doesn't seem convinced, and you should start to prepare for his imminent depature in January, really strange for such a top player.

Balotelli's departure in January is imminent?

[The Infamous_LFC]

That makes sense, wait, no it doesn't. Brendan doesn't seem convinced, and you should start to prepare for his imminent depature in January, really strange for such a top player.

Mr Know it All

[Redman0151]

There's no denying there's a shit ton of talent in there. He's definitely not average.

Without penalties he's never managed close to a 1 in 2 record, i'm not sure where this idea that he has the ability to be a top level player comes from.


If anything, I think his personality issues have led to him being overrated by many

[diegoLFC7]

Were linked by many media outlets to make a 50 million pound move for Benzema. Where are we gonna get 50 million from?

[Danan]

Without penalties he's never managed close to a 1 in 2 record, i'm not sure where this idea that he has the ability to be a top level player comes from.

Balotelli has an amazing footballing ability. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have the brain to go with it.

[Redman0151]

Balotelli has an amazing footballing ability. Unfortunately, he doesn't seem to have the brain to go with it.

He had the lowest shot conversion ratio of any player in the top 5 leagues to get at least 10 last year, considering this was significantly boosted by pens, it's a pretty awful title to have and not one that goes hand in hand with amazing ability

[Red Sea]

Without penalties he's never managed close to a 1 in 2 record, i'm not sure where this idea that he has the ability to bea top level player comes from.


If anything, I think his personality issues have led to him being overrated by many

mate that is exactly it, the guy has some talent but you would think by the way people spoke about him he was a new maradona, he has a lovely first touch a decent pass and that is pretty much  it. I would wager the likes of Giroud have just as much as innate ability as balotelli but you wouldn't know about it by the way the media bangs on about him

[The Infamous_LFC]

Were linked by many media outlets to make a 50 million pound move for Benzema. Where are we gonna get 50 million from?

Benzema is the best. Complete striker not sure Ronaldo would have scored 40+ that season he did with out Benzemas movement and assists. Makes too much sense like Sanchez and Pedro did last summer.

[Redman0151]

Were linked by many media outlets to make a 50 million pound move for Benzema. Where are we gonna get 50 million from?

James Pearce was saying yesterday that FSG wouldn't spend close to that on a player

[Danan]

He had the lowest shot conversion ratio of any player in the top 5 leagues to get at least 10 last year, considering this was significantly boosted by pens, it's a pretty awful title to have and not one that goes hand in hand with amazing ability

Suarez also had a very poor shot conversion ratio, but that didn't make him an average player. And I am not talking about Balotelli's stats. I am talking about what he is capable of doing on the pitch. Unfortunately, the problem is in his head. Put Dirk Kuyt's brain into it, and you will get a player as good as Messi, Ronaldo or Suarez. Also known under the name of Zlatan.

[Redman0151]

Suarez also had a very poor shot conversion ratio, but that didn't make him an average player. And I am not talking about Balotelli's stats. I am talking about what he is capable of doing on the pitch. Unfortunately, the problem is in his head. Put Dirk Kuyt's brain into it, and you will get a player as good as Messi, Ronaldo or Suarez. Also known under the name of Zlatan.

Sorry but no chance, there's nothing at all to suggest Balotelli has the ability to come close to a player like Messi or Suarez.


He's got good technique, but he's not particularly fast, not a great scorer, has a poor work rate, not overly strong in the air or on the ground. He's a decent player but he's nowhere near that level

[QC]

Were linked by many media outlets to make a 50 million pound move for Benzema. Where are we gonna get 50 million from?

Capital markets + clever FFP tactics.

[Danan]

Sorry but no chance, there's nothing at all to suggest Balotelli has the ability to come close to a player like Messi or Suarez.


He's got good technique, but he's not particularly fast, not a great scorer, has a poor work rate, not overly strong in the air or on the ground. He's a decent player but he's nowhere near that level

People often make this judgement about Balotelli, probably because he doesn't seem to have the mentality to succeed at the highest level. In terms of pure footballing skills, he is up there with the best: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVrr2-xbZWs In terms of consistent application of those skills, he is very far from that level.

[Redman0151]

People often make this judgement about Balotelli, probably because he doesn't seem to have the mentality to succeed at the highest level. In terms of pure footballing skills, he is up there with the best:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVrr2-xbZWs

In terms of consistent application of those skills, he is very far from that level.

You can make skill compilations of any player in the world, it doesn't mean they can be as good as Messi or Ronaldo. Shall I dig one out of Freddy Adu?


He's shown nothing in his career to suggest he's anywhere close to up there with the best in the world, there's a ton of gaps in his game. He averages 0.6 dribbles per game, compared to 3.1 from Sterling or 2.8 from Coutinho, or even 0.7 from Jose Enrique.


He is nowhere near good enough to be mentioned in the same sentence as a Suarez or that ilk, even if he was playing to his maximum every game.

[KirkVanHouten]

Scored like 20 goals for the worst Ac Milan of recent history. Plus he had scored in big games before. Thats why he is a top player until he proves he isn't.

He isn't a top player. He never has been. He scored 18 goals last season in 41 games which is a good ratio. However a third of those were from dead balls.

He's never scored more than 14 goals in a league season. While that's a respectable number it ignores his conversion stats. He is one of the least efficient strikers in the top four European leagues.

I hope he becomes a top player, but right now he's miles from being one.

[B0151?]

- Sterling should play up front until Sturridge is healthy
- Rodgers has raved about Origi. If he thinks he's good enough to become one of the best, he should be getting a lot of game time when he gets here (whenever that is). Lille are crap and he's not doing much developing there. We might end up having to pay the fee we would have if we hadn't agreed to loan him back to Lille. Not ideal, but we're not bringing in a striker without Lambert or Balo going. So that's what it is.

[Danan]

You can make skill compilations of any player in the world, it doesn't mean they can be as good as Messi or Ronaldo. Shall I dig one out of Freddy Adu?


He's shown nothing in his career to suggest he's anywhere close to up there with the best in the world, there's a ton of gaps in his game. He averages 0.6 dribbles per game, compared to 3.1 from Sterling or 2.8 from Coutinho, or even 0.7 from Jose Enrique.


He is nowhere near good enough to be mentioned in the same sentence as a Suarez or that ilk, even if he was playing to his maximum every game.

We are obviously talking about different things.

I am not talking about Balotelli's stats. I am talking about what he is capable of doing on the pitch.

In terms of consistent application of those skills, he is very far from that level.

As for the idea of Balotelli playing every game to his maximum potential, that is a frightening prospect.

[scumbagcollege]

That makes sense, wait, no it doesn't. Brendan doesn't seem convinced, and you should start to prepare for his imminent depature in January, really strange for such a top player.

Brendan wanted to ship out Henderson and Lucas. Also Sakho, allegedly.

[SwordInYourGut]

What I find baffling is that a teenage Balotelli started as a winger/second striker for Inter. He had (decent) pace, he could dribble, he could play along with all the things he is good at today. How the hell has he been transformed into the static limp piece of wood we see today?

[Xxavi]

Regarding possible names, Bacca is somebody to keep in mind. He is extremely frustrating, but when on form, I think he was even ahead of Jackson Martinez in pecking order for their national team. May be still is.

A bit like Bony, but may be pacier and more mobile. Not the very top bracket, but a very decent option nonetheless.

Vietto seems a talent playing for Villarreal, though not proven at all. I also think a good club should have gambled on Leo Baptistao by now, don't know about work permit possibility for these guys though.

With regards to Origi, expectation is high, may be too high? If he comes in January, he will find himself under an immense pressure to score, and looking at his scoring record, his output is not much different to Balotelli's, i.e. 1 in 5 or 6.

[SwordInYourGut]

Regarding possible names, Bacca is somebody to keep in mind. He is extremely frustrating, but when on form, I think he was even ahead of Jackson Martinez in pecking order for their national team. May be still is.

A bit like Bony, but may be pacier and more mobile. Not the very top bracket, but a very decent option nonetheless.

Vietto seems a talent playing for Villarreal, though not proven at all. I also think a good club should have gambled on Leo Baptistao by now, don't know about work permit possibility for these guys though.

With regards to Origi, expectation is high, may be too high? If he comes in January, he will find himself under an immense pressure to score, and looking at his scoring record, his output is not much different to Balotelli's, i.e. 1 in 5 or 6.

Bacca won't come cheap though, didn't Arsenal bid for him in the summer before they went for Welbeck? If that kind of money is available, Pedro is probably a better option. Simone Zaza could be a cheaper alternative that fits our style of play.

[ShayGuevara]

I still think Balotelli will come good for us when he partners up with Sturridge.

I do however wonder if Rodgers wanted him and if he's possibly been signed for marketing as much as anything? Living abroad currently and watching shows like ESPN (aimed at Asian and American audiences) and Mario's as big a draw as Suarez was probably more so.

Anyone else buy into that idea? Especially as Rodgers said days previous to his signing he wasn't interested.

Football wise I think we have a potential world class player who is finally willing to work and improve, if we can take him to the next level then we've done a wonderful piece of buiseness. If we can't then I'm sure a Serie A club would be willing to give us what we spend last season on him or pretty damn close,he was one of the top scorers last season in the league with a shit Milan side after all.

[Halcyon Lissome]

With regards to Origi, expectation is high, may be too high? If he comes in January, he will find himself under an immense pressure to score, and looking at his scoring record, his output is not much different to Balotelli's, i.e. 1 in 5 or 6.

That's the thing, by the time he comes Sturridge will be fit and in a way the pressure is much less. He probably won't even be ahead of Balotelli right away but will be rotated as the 2nd option or played with the other forward, presuming we start utilising 2 forwards again.

[Caston]

Sterling has won European golden boy 2014 - congrats!

[SMASHerano]

That's the thing, by the time he comes Sturridge will be fit and in a way the pressure is much less. He probably won't even be ahead of Balotelli right away but will be rotated as the 2nd option or played with the other forward, presuming we start utilising 2 forwards again.

I think we should all stop taking this bit for granted.

[Bolrick]

Sterling has won European golden boy 2014 - congrats!

whoa....... he deserves it.

[Bolrick]

Balotelli is an enigma. Not many managers can deal with a player like balotelli. Only the top managers are able to get something from him.

You have to look at his performance in the euro 2012 where he destroyed Germany.

Balotelli can play as a lone striker. But he needs support from the other attacking players to make space for him to run behind the defenders. He will then have options to either lay off the ball or run at the opposition goal.

The way Rodgers plays Balotelli is basically giving him the ball and expecting him to do a suarez.  He hardly has anybody around him when he has the ball. Not many players can do what suarez does with the ball. It basically the same thing with lambert. Lambert played as a lone striker when he was at Southampton. He had players supporting him and he scored goals. Here....he looks so f**king isolated at top...and people wonder why he is doing badly.

Its not much use defending Balotelli as I guess most here already have made up their mind about him (including Rodgers). Its best we ship him off as the Head Coach here will not change his tactics to play to his strength.

If the coach had spent half the time trying the build the team around our attackers instead of making the DM position work for a certain someone....things might have been different.... But we wasted so many f**king months....trying to make the DM position work and look where has that left the team.

[G1 Jockey 4(betfair)]

Balotelli is an enigma. Not many managers can deal with a player like balotelli. Only the top managers are able to get something from him.

You have to look at his performance in the euro 2012 where he destroyed Germany.

Balotelli can play as a lone striker. But he needs support from the other attacking players to make space for him to run behind the defenders. He will then have options to either lay off the ball or run at the opposition goal.

The way Rodgers plays Balotelli is basically giving him the ball and expecting him to do a suarez.  He hardly has anybody around him when he has the ball. Not many players can do what suarez does with the ball. It basically the same thing with lambert. Lambert played as a lone striker when he was at Southampton. He had players supporting him and he scored goals. Here....he looks so f**king isolated at top...and people wonder why he is doing badly.

Its not much use defending Balotelli as I guess most here already have made up their mind about him (including Rodgers). Its best we ship him off as the Head Coach here will not change his tactics to play to his strength.

If the coach had spent half the time trying the build the team around our attackers instead of making the DM position work for a certain someone....things might have been different.... But we wasted so many f**king months....trying to make the DM position work and look where has that left the team.

agree

will add to that that if rogers didnt feel ballo fits into our system or how he wanted to play he shouldnt have signed him or refused the committee.

it sort of looks like we only got him in because he was a name int he game still and it wasnt based on his abilities or the things he couldnt do either.

[scumbagcollege]

Regarding possible names, Bacca is somebody to keep in mind. He is extremely frustrating, but when on form, I think he was even ahead of Jackson Martinez in pecking order for their national team. May be still is.

Hmm. Certainly one to chew over.

[Keita Success]

How standards have slipped, he's really very average, and the sooner people look past the media driven hype mission to glorify his 'talent' the better.

You know, people can form their own opinions without being accused of being influenced by the media.

[Adeemo]

I really hope Mario comes straight into the starting 11 at Burnley, if he's fit enough, now that we're actually going forward well, we'll get a much better view of what he can offer.

[paddysour]

I really hope Mario comes straight into the starting 11 at Burnley, if he's fit enough, now that we're actually going forward well, we'll get a much better view of what he can offer.

The reason we're doing well is because we have quick mobile hardworking players up front now. And not guys like Balotelli

[Adeemo]

The reason we're doing well is because we have quick mobile hardworking players up front now. And not guys like Balotelli

I know what you're saying but Raheem is still playing as the focal point, the biggest goalscoring threat we've looked all season, bar the Spurs game, was the 2nd half at Old Trafford.