Training Tuesday 2/11

[Mark (Blue Army)]

wasn't a great debut to be honest but I'd rather have him start like that and develop than have a Steve McManaman (vs Aston Villa) type debut and subsequent City career

What a debut it was though!!

It was, still makes me laugh watching his reaction to the pen claim

[mr_nool]

I thought he was alright the first 20 when we actually played football. His cross to Ade's close header was great.
But as the team in general went shit, so did he. In the second half he was poor, though.

[john@staustell]

Mario also went in early with what looked like a thigh problem.

Fuck me, is that guy made of glass?

maybe he hurt himself getting up off the floor on saturday.

Proof inded that RAG Mark Ogden, Telegraph, reads Doug's training threads:

"Mario Balotelli suffered a thigh strain in training on Tuesday and is a doubt for the clash against Lech Poznan"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... ridge.html?

[Ted Hughes]

Balotelli will have to run about quite a lot more if he's to make it at City. He'll never be expected to be Tevez but he has to work a lot harder than that. Against Wolves, he gave an impression of Rodney Marsh on a bad day. It puts Mancini in an impossible position if he's complaining to the players that they did't work hard enough then allows Balotelli to do whatever he wants. Mancini will have no choice but to demand the same workrate from Balotelli & if he won't do it he simply can't play in the team.

He's not match fit yet though so he needs time to get up to speed. A fit, hard working version of Balotelli would be unstoppable imo.

[brite blu sky]

I dont think it wise to read too much into his first few games.. especially after the injury.
In the longer term we will have to see, but remember that Mancini was the guy who gave him his break as a kid, so the basic relationship there is set up well for Balotelli to understand that Mancini wants him to progress and learn and im sure that is what will be pressed on him.
I know there is a lot of hype, but at this stage there is no cause for concern or worry.

[Curlie]

Mario also went in early with what looked like a thigh problem.

Fuck me, is that guy made of glass?

maybe he hurt himself getting up off the floor on saturday.

Proof inded that RAG Mark Ogden, Telegraph, reads Doug's training threads:

"Mario Balotelli suffered a thigh strain in training on Tuesday and is a doubt for the clash against Lech Poznan"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/footba ... ridge.html?

Go on Doug, throw in a curve ball some time and lets all sit back and see which lazy journos pick it up and then we can slate them til they squeak.