Before all you fan boys get out your stakes out and start your trash can fires, this post isn't going to be a complete slagging of Balotelli. Everyone has to understand the expectations that come with a name like 'Super' Mario. Unfortunately, the fact that we didn't pay £24m for his loan move (you're chum, Falcao) won't matter, even if we had gotten him on a free, he will always be a target for the press and opposition supporters. He didn't do himself any favors against Spurs though.
Balotelli had 34 possessions (or touches) at White Hart Lane, completed just 8 of 16 passes, took 5 shots, but only one was on-goal. Factor in his (lack of) defensive contributions and he was accountable for 12 negative changes of possession in 61 minutes. He did have a chance created and three clearances though.
His attacking efficiency ended up being 0.324, the worst on the team. For perspective, Lazar Markovic who has played a similar 59 minutes, destroys 'Super' Mario with a 0.744. Sturridge who is worst on the team among minutes played qualifiers is still better than his Italian strike-mate with a 0.532. Even Ricky Lambert betters him with 0.625.
He had a poor debut, you can either admit it or take residence in delusion land, where Glenn Johnson is still a good right back. When he has such matches, he has to do the one thing that can be quantified, he has to create space. He has to be a threat, go to open areas and force the opposition defence take notice, so Sturridge, Sterling, and other teammate have room to operate.
My feed was down the past couple of days so if you want to go to any missed articles they are below:
Liverpool has played the hardest schedule, boasts the best defence
Wanted: Yaya Sanogo, for impersonating a footballer (Match Day 3 morsels)
Skrtel top defensively, Flamini take over attack & overall efficiency
Tottenham 0, Liverpool 3: Sometimes moments of madness
Showing posts with label Johnsons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Johnsons. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2014
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Before I get to my grades, let me say a couple of things. First off, until you accept that we just aren't good enough to win the League...
-
Apparently Nemanja Vidić is the current odds on favorite to win PFA Player of the Year this season, and well, that sort...
-
To win: Man City 13/15 60.21% Liverpool 10/3 20.64% Draw 3/1 19.15% Not enough money on City and too much of a pay...
-
What a magnificent goal. More belters like this is what we need to open up defenses.
-
With the addition of Rickie Lambert, Borini's days appear to have become numbered. Who scored? probably sums it up best. According t...
-
The player we have latest been linked to is Benfica and Serbian winger/striker Lazar Markovic. He is 20-years-old, 175cm (5'9"), l...
-
There are reports that Daley Blind may be one of the left backs on Rodgers' transfer wish list, especially after his two solid World Cup...
-
- Let me first say that it would not bother me even for a second if Gerrard 'retired' from international play. Yes, I know that wou...
-
There are recent reports that we may be after 19-year-old Belgian and World Cup darling, Divock Origi, but I highly doubt it. There is abso...
-
Well despite the officials trying to gift Portsmouth the three points and the home side giving a clinic on how to cheat English football sty...