Match Day Thread 2015/16 Premier League, Cups & Euro Watch

He's ****ed, refs aren't going to give him the time of day now. Apparently he doesn't like playing in England anyway so he'll be off at the end of the season.

 

Suarez was a **** but his bullshit was always a reeaction. Costa sets out to wreck a game of football

 

Not really, Skrtel could have seriously damaged Costa's finger tips with his eyeball there!!!

 

So close yet so far...

"Mario Balotelli: "In 2010 I briefly flirted with the idea of signing him. I did my homework on him, speaking to a few Italian contacts, but the feedback I got confirmed it was too big a risk."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34311859

 

And like Cantona wasn't a risk despite almost doing jail time for his Bruce Lee impression.

 

Cantona was a good player though.

 

Lord Buckfast must have thought Mario was a good player though.

 

Not good enough to take a risk in signing him.

That's the point!

 

Fergie obviously thought he was a good player but his antics off the pitch were seen as a risk.

That's the point.

 

I think you've confused yourself again Page.

Balotelli wasn't a good enough player to take a risk in signing him given his off field baggage. Cantona was good enough to take the risk in signing him despite his off (and on) field baggage.

I should point out at this stage that you brought Cantona into the discussion!

 

TBF, that happened after Man Utd / Fergie signed him

 

It's yourself that's confused Shtan, Fergie wouldn't have considered buying Mario if he never rated him.

 

He was a good player but his abilities have been massively overhyped over the years imo. If he hadn't been part of the first PL win for Man Utd (ie the last piece of the jigsaw) there is no way he'd have got the same attention.

 

I didn't say Fergie never rated him

 

Surely Fergie thought both players were good enough but ones off field antics were seen in a more negative manner than the others? Ability was the reason for not signing Mario according to Fergie's book.

Personally, I think Mario is both **** and a ****

 

We'll have to respectfully disagree on that one. Outstanding footballer.

 

Slightly better version of Berbatov; quality on the ball but lazy as **** off it.

 

My point is that behavior wasn't an issue to Fergie once the player had signed for him.

If Ballo had been a good boy up until Fergie wanted him he'd have gotten away with his antics at OT if he was a good enough player for them once signed, if Cantona would have not been as good or as inspirational there's no way Fergie would have backed him after his conviction.

 

I can't respectfully disagree with that as it's so hopelessly wrong!