Topic: Our Attack - meaning people at the club now - not players you fancy signing

[CallumLFC]

Should seriously consider playing Lambert and giving him a good three games in a row.

[ShayGuevara]

In fairness to Balotelli, he got in the right positions today.

Two Og's wouldn't of happened only for where he was, also you wouldn't fancy him to miss another sitter like that.

Poor performance, he'll know that but I think it'll click for him eventually.

[Loo Pan]

I think he just needs 1 to go in and we'll see a different player. His confidence is shattered, and I think he's trying to hard to score. Forcing it.

I don't think it's his confidence.

He honestly looks like a player who doesn't understand how to use the talent that he has effectively.

He has the ability, but he looks like he doesn't know how to play effectively as a number 9 at this level.

He is a project for Brendan, because he's going to have coach him and teach him how to play this position.

It's incredible when you think about it, that he's got this far in the game and he looks like he doesn't know what he's doing in the position a lot of the time.

He reminds me of Carroll in that sense. So many of the basic things you need him to do just aren't there.

[idontknow]

Balotelli should be dropped and play only cup games.He is awful,can't score a goal to save his life.

Is Wednesday a cup game?

[Ste08]

Short term I'd rather try Sterling uptop he can actually hold the ball up, make runs in behind and most importantly finish. Lallana and Phil flanking him, Stevie, Hendo and Allen in midfield. Then pray Sturridge is back soon.

[plura]

Short term I'd rather try Sterling uptop he can actually hold the ball up, make runs in behind and most importantly finish. Lallana and Phil flanking him, Stevie, Hendo and Allen in midfield. Then pray Sturridge is back soon.

Wouldn't mind something like this against Real. As it's from right now the team that could possibly harm them the most.

[Brentieke]

It hit me today.

Balotelli is a stronger, better at penalties version of David Ngog.
Ricky Lambert is a slow, Scouse, older version of Erik Meijer.
Fabio Borini is an older version of Fabio Borini.

Until Sturridge comes back, that's our lot. Scouts need to be sent to a Siberian Gulag.

[AndyMuller]

I just think Balotelli's body language is piss poor to be honest, there was a point in the match he had a shot blocked and he just looks to the floor instead of anticipating the throw in that we were given in QPR's half.

[Cave_Wang]

Totally agree to date not one of the players we signed look good buys.

Well that's just a silly kneejerk reaction. Moreno and Lallana have been very good on the whole. Plus Origi has been impressive abroad even if he isn't playing for us yet.

[Gerrard#1]

We turned down a player for 8.5 million and bought a dud for  16 million,yet Chelsea took that 8.5 million player and he is working out fine even on very limited game time.Balotelli doesn't look like he is capable of turning it around his shooting is dire and his over all play piss poor.

Wasn't he sent off against Palace and nearly cost them the win?

[Mali1]

I just think Balotelli's body language is piss poor to be honest, there was a point in the match he had a shot blocked and he just looks to the floor instead of anticipating the throw in that we were given in QPR's half.

I was more disappointed with his body language at the  last min. While Sterling celebrated the last goal, Balo turned away didn't celebrate that we clinched the winner.

He might be disappointed with his own performance but surely you got to celebrate the moment like that.

[Bunter]

I just think Balotelli's body language is piss poor to be honest, there was a point in the match he had a shot blocked and he just looks to the floor instead of anticipating the throw in that we were given in QPR's half.

Absolute wank attitude. Even when we scored he just looks down and walks off slowly. You could excuse that sort of stuff if he was banging them in but he's been crap in front of goal and falling over to get a penalty instead of battling for the ball sums him up. Far too soft and massive chip on his shoulder and clueless when faced with a defender.

He's so much worse than I thought he'd be, he can't even hold the ball up without falling over or being bullied straight back off it. Sterling puts him to shame in that department and he's half a foot shorter and 4 stone lighter!

All my worse fears about him are coming true and it's so frustrating that we can't drop him.

[gatcliffe]

Well that's just a silly kneejerk reaction. Moreno and Lallana have been very good on the whole. Plus Origi has been impressive abroad even if he isn't playing for us yet.

It is not a kneejerk reaction it is my opinion.

[Fromola]

Balotelli's a mixture of Robbie Keane and Andy Carroll. Just doesn't fit in at all and another panic buy big signing that wasn't thought through.

We couldn't attract a top striker forward to replace Suarez's goals so we kidded ourselves Mario was one. He's never been prolific from open play.

[Brentieke]

Balotelli's a mixture of Robbie Keane and Andy Carroll. Just doesn't fit in at all and another panic buy big signing that wasn't thought through.

We couldn't attract a top striker forward to replace Suarez's goals so we kidded ourselves Mario was one. He's never been prolific from open play.

Some of us were saying exactly that before we signed him but, as usual, the "every signing we make is world class" crew on here shouted everyone down.

Absolutely inept scouting and planning, yet again.

[Beninger]

Some of us were saying exactly that before we signed him but, as usual, the "every signing we make is world class" crew on here shouted everyone down.

Absolutely inept scouting and planning, yet again.

I'll wait a bit longer until I come up with my final verdict.  It's a tad bit early to be blowing your horn so fucking loudly...

[Brentieke]

I'll wait a bit longer until I come up with my final verdict.  It's a tad bit early to be blowing your horn so fucking loudly...

Just look at the type of player he is. He just doesn't fit in. It's nothing to do with blowing any horn. It's to do with simple scouting.

How the fuck did they think he would fit the way we play? It makes no sense. He's the complete antithesis to Suarez and Sturridge in every single possible way.

[Samie]

I don't think we play to Balotelli's strengths. Neither does he fit in with how we under Brendan play. 

[RyanBabel19]

I'll wait a bit longer until I come up with my final verdict.  It's a tad bit early to be blowing your horn so fucking loudly...

Mate its been 3 seasons, he isn't going to come good now. Had it been less than 10 games i'd agree with you and say its best to wait before coming up with a final verdict but its set in stone

[Beninger]

Just look at the type of player he is. He just doesn't fit in. It's nothing to do with blowing any horn. It's to do with simple scouting.

How the fuck did they think he would fit the way we play? It makes no sense. He's the complete antithesis to Suarez and Sturridge in every single possible way.

You should put your application in then.  We could use someone with your sort of knowledge.  Brendan may be trying to change the way we attack.  I thought he played well with Sturridge against Spurs.  What I do think we need is another Sturridge type of player, and we may hope we can hold out for Origi.  We may have to assess in January, but I wouldn't be so sure that Balo is going to be shit for us.  Too early for me...

[Chakan]

Mate its been 3 seasons, he isn't going to come good now. Had it been less than 10 games i'd agree with you and say its best to wait before coming up with a final verdict but its set in stone

3 seasons?

[Beninger]

Mate its been 3 seasons, he isn't going to come good now. Had it been less than 10 games i'd agree with you and say its best to wait before coming up with a final verdict but its set in stone

Eh?  3 seasons for LFC?  Must have missed it...

[Red Dane]

Hopefully Balotelli is gone before the start of next season.

[Beninger]

I'm wondering why we've gotten rid of individual player threads...

[RyanBabel19]

Eh?  3 seasons for LFC?  Must have missed it...

3 seasons?

I'm joking lads. Just poking fun at the way he's being talked about, you would think it had been 3 seasons as opposed to 9 matches

[Brentieke]

You should put your application in then.  We could use someone with your sort of knowledge.  Brendan may be trying to change the way we attack.  I thought he played well with Sturridge against Spurs.  What I do think we need is another Sturridge type of player, and we may hope we can hold out for Origi.  We may have to assess in January, but I wouldn't be so sure that Balo is going to be shit for us.  Too early for me...

Seriously doubt that Brendan wants his forwards to be shit at pressing.

[Beninger]

I'm joking lads. Just poking fun at the way he's being talked about, you would think it had been 3 seasons as opposed to 9 matches

Oh I got ya... 

[Chakan]

I'm joking lads. Just poking fun at the way he's being talked about, you would think it had been 3 seasons as opposed to 9 matches

Oh righto

Sorry you never with people.

[paddysour]

Balotelli's a mixture of Robbie Keane and Andy Carroll. Just doesn't fit in at all and another panic buy big signing that wasn't thought through.

We couldn't attract a top striker forward to replace Suarez's goals so we kidded ourselves Mario was one. He's never been prolific from open play.

And people couldn't understand why those against the signing didn't count the penalties he scored . Do you guys understand now?

[Beninger]

Seriously doubt that Brendan wants his forwards to be shit at pressing.

I think he works hard but I don't think we really press all that well as a team.  You can't really blame shit pressing on one player...

[Brentieke]

I'm joking lads. Just poking fun at the way he's being talked about, you would think it had been 3 seasons as opposed to 9 matches

You don't need 3 seasons to know when a player doesn't fit a style of player. That's why Brendan got shot of Carroll straight away and why Rafa sold Keane at a loss 5 months after he bought him.

Balotelli's all round game may improve but he's never gonna do enough defensive work like the SAS did, nor deputise for Sturridge in an acceptable way.

I'll be shocked if he's here past this season. I predict he'll be sent on loan to an Italian team.

[Chakan]

You don't need 3 seasons to know when a player doesn't fit a style of player. That's why Brendan got shot of Carroll straight away and why Rafa sold Keane at a loss 5 months after he bought him.

Balotelli's all round game may improve but he's never gonna do enough defensive work like the SAS did, nor deputise for Sturridge in an acceptable way.

I'll be shocked if he's here past this season. I predict he'll be sent on loan to an Italian team.

We haven't played our style of play in all but 2 games this season. He doesn't fit the style of play we're playing now.

[Beninger]

And people couldn't understand why those against the signing didn't count the penalties he scored . Do you guys understand now?

Does anyone have the stats of his pens vs goals from open play?

[The Gigi]

I think the main issue we have is that Balotelli is not adapted to play alone upfront. When he was decent for City he was alwas playing with another player, be it Dzeko or Aguero. It's not a surprise for me that his best game (and ours) whas when he played with Sturridge. In this game there were signs of an understanding between the too.
When he plays upfront alone, there is not enough support from his teammates, no one is close to him to get on the end of his lay offs. Look at Zamora for instance today. Everyone knows he is an average player at the twilight of his career. But he looked good because he had support from both the midfield and his strike partner.
I think as well that Mario works on confidence. When things aren't going his way, when he feels he doesn't have support close to him, he becomes frustrated and greedy and thus looks poor. In the absence of Sturridge either we need more support from the midfielders, or we need to play him alongside Borini or Lambert.
I've been disappointed with him of course, but I think that the system plays a big part as well. 
 

[paddysour]

Does anyone have the stats of his pens vs goals from open play?

Balotelli scored only 15 goals from open-play in 54 games.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/08/mario-balotelli-at-ac-milan-hype-vs-reality/

[Funky_Gibbons]

You don't need 3 seasons to know when a player doesn't fit a style of player. That's why Brendan got shot of Carroll straight away and why Rafa sold Keane at a loss 5 months after he bought him.

Balotelli's all round game may improve but he's never gonna do enough defensive work like the SAS did, nor deputise for Sturridge in an acceptable way.

I'll be shocked if he's here past this season. I predict he'll be sent on loan to an Italian team.

And why Paisley got shot of Rush after ten games and why Rafa sold Crouch after just over a dozen games .

[Beninger]

You don't need 3 seasons to know when a player doesn't fit a style of player. That's why Brendan got shot of Carroll straight away and why Rafa sold Keane at a loss 5 months after he bought him.

Balotelli's all round game may improve but he's never gonna do enough defensive work like the SAS did, nor deputise for Sturridge in an acceptable way.

I'll be shocked if he's here past this season. I predict he'll be sent on loan to an Italian team.

I don't think he should deputize for Sturro at all.  It's not a like for like situation.  However, I think if we could go for a player like that French one we were half-ass linked to in the summer, then we would have someone that I think can deputize for either of them.  Origi is also that player.  I honestly prefer us with 2 up top.

[Beninger]

Balotelli scored only 15 goals from open-play in 54 games.

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2014/08/mario-balotelli-at-ac-milan-hype-vs-reality/

I think he might have a few if our set pieces were better.  We were good last season...

[Tony19:6]

Think Lambert must be pulling his hair out watching the standard of striker keeping him out of the side.

Looking at recent pictures he's already pulled out his beard 

[Brentieke]

And why Paisley got shot of Rush after ten games and why Rafa sold Crouch after just over a dozen games .

Crouch fit the system very well. And we had the players to get the best out of him. A proper winger in Kewell, the best crosser in the league in Gerrard and players buzzing off him like Cisse or Luis Garcia. It's a bit of a crap comparison to be honest, no offence. I don't think you understood the point I'm making is not that Balotelli is shit, it's that he just doesn't fit the way we play.

Lazar Markovic has been crap so far too but he fits the way we play.

I don't think he should deputize for Sturro at all.  It's not a like for like situation.  However, I think if we could go for a player like that French one we were half-ass linked to in the summer, then we would have someone that I think can deputize for either of them.  Origi is also that player.  I honestly prefer us with 2 up top.

Me too.

The diamond gets the best out of Balotelli, Sterling, Sturridge, Coutinho, Henderson, Gerrard and allows space for the full backs to attack. It's our ideal formation.

Unfortunately, because of the complete ineptness of our scouts and transfer committee, we can't play the diamond because they failed to find a striker with enough mobility to deputize for the injury prone Sturridge and got us two forward with such limited mobility that they are completely incapable of playing together.

At the end of the day, that's the bottom line. Siberian gulags, I tell you.