Balotelli and Borini

[Buddha]

It showed a bit of promise, no?

Borini's tireless running (and searing pace tonight) can only benefit Balotelli's clever movement and open gaps for Sterling / Hendo to run into.

I'd like to see more of this in coming weeks (when Sturrridge is out)

 

[Gary25]

Play them together at West Ham. Sterling at the tip of the diamond.

 

[gkmacca]

I did say that I thought Borini might prove quite a useful player in European games, especially away from home. He's a crafty player who knows all the tricks as far as finding space, holding up the ball, winning free kicks and wasting time are concerned. Then again, I've also said I think he's a cowardly twit. He did well tonight. He's the wasp that buzzes around the bear. Nope, I don't understand myself either. But he seemed to link reasonably well with Mario. Another good sign of the improved options on the bench.

 

[Modo]

He'll play Lambert. It's West Ham after all.

 

[gkmacca]

West Ham played pretty well yesterday. Well, not as badly as they have done.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

It showed a bit of promise, no?
)

No

 

[moron]

No i thought we were playing with 10 men when he came on.

 

[Fabio]

Such an apt username

 

[moron]

Sorry but he ia shit. There is no defending him.

 

[bkwitche2]

Sorry but he is shit. There is no defending him.

Isn't that what we are looking for?

 

[localny]

I liked it tonight. A goal out of almost nothing. Used his strength and produced some ingenuity. He did what we asked opened up the game for us,

 

[Mersey86]

Yes - didn't want him to stay, but can't fault him in this game.

 

[Dreambeliever]

His movement was good but he missed a great chance and got brushed over too easily.

We need so much better. I'd rather Lambert.

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

Wish he'd scored the header he got, would've done wonders for his confidence in his fight for his career here. Did his chances of starting this weekend no harm with his performance. Until he performs woefully or Sturridge returns, I'd like to see us starting him and Balotelli up front with Sterling behind them, as several others have advocated.

We play away against West Ham this weekend and their centrebacks will predictably be needling and bodychecking Balotelli the whole game, so a mobile forward partner up front to distract them and split their attention wouldn't hurt.

 

[Frogfish]

His movement was good but he missed a great chance and got brushed over too easily.

We need so much better. I'd rather Lambert.

*wonders if Dreamy is trolling the board*

 

[rurikbird]

I only saw the last 20 minutes. Based on this game, is it fair to say that Balotelli-Borini has better chemistry as a strike partnership than Balotelli-Sterling?

 

[gkmacca]

Not enough time to compare.

 

[mom]

Yep. It was a cameo really but they did pretty well.

 

[mark1975]

I think we're having problems adjusting to Balotelli, he holds the ball up well and his awareness is good, but he drops off and doesn't always make the runs off the shoulder, that we've been used to. It'll take time, but it's part of the reason the attacking three around him have looked so blunt. We had three quick attacking players, always looking to run at sides and beyond. We've lost one, and one is injured, so you can see the problems.