should be played with another striker, he isn't so good on his own
I think for the way we play and are used to playing you are right there mate. We have been all about perpetual movement and fluency since Brendan came in so we lose quite a bit of that when either Balo or Lambert come in to the side. It doesn't mean we can't be a fluent and attacking side because you only have to look at the way Saints played with Lambert in the side last season. But in the meantime I think that a midfield diamond and a partner for Balotelli is the best way to go.
I must admit I do have a few reservations based on the first few games with mad Mario in the side.
- On the plus side he has shown a few moments of pure class, a touch or a flick or a pass, and the finish the other night. Can he shows these regularly? That appears to be the big challenge.
- his presence seemed to invigorate Studge and freed up that little bit of room for Danny to get at Spurs the other week. There was a little spark of a partnership there.
- I have enjoyed watching his appetite to run and work hard for the team BUT I'm not. Getting carried away, he has been putting in the running I would expect from any modern day premier league striker, still a million miles away from the non stop effort levels of Luis. But if he does keep working hard, and scores a few goals the Kop will love him for it.
- My reservations are that I don't think he really scares defenders when he isn't in the box,he isn't going to run at players and take it on all that often so when he drops off to receive the ball our middies and wide players have got to fill that space quickly otherwise our goal threat will Peter out. So for Balo to be successful we probably need him to be in and around the box BUT the very reason we have been so effective is because we played with two strikers who popped up all over the place, centre halves didn't know what was happening half the time last season. I've also not been happy with the number of crosses we are now playing with just Mario in the side, it's not our game and neither should it be. It's a question of risk or retail possession for me and every time you cross the ball you are risking possession. Particularly if it is against a defence that has dropped off, is well set and in position to deal with them. As much as I admired Balo's goal on Tuesday night it isn't the way forward for me ie. 15-20 crosses eventually paying dividends with the one goal.
Don't get me wrong I still like the signing but a few little alarm bells have gone off for me and I think we would be in trouble if Studge was to miss a prolonged spell this season.
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