Are We Finally Seeing the Mature Super Mario?

Mario Balotelli is knuckling down to life in the Premier League. How else can you explain two accomplished performances in his two latest outings? Scoring goals has always been easy for the Italian, his attitude has always been questioned. This season, however, he has let his boots do the talking.

With Tevez sulking, Aguero injured and Dzeko returning from international duty, Super Mario made his second successive appearance in Man City colours. He repaid Mancini's faith in him with a goal and looked to be the one player capable of unlocking the Villan defence. If anyone can get the best out of the temperamental Italian, it is his old Inter boss who knows Balotelli better than anyone.

Balotelli have learned from his earlier outbursts and now is contributing to Manchester City's relentless pursuit of the Premier League title. Although City have had fairly easy opposition (apart from Spurs), their attacking play has been breathtaking and the likes of Aguero, Dzeko and Balotelli have to be credited for making the Blues an awesome attacking unit

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Just Like Last Season - Deja vu For The Hammers

In West Ham's second game of the new 2010/2011 season, there is a feeling that they will struggle again. Whatever that Avram Grant have managed to instill into the team, it still looks like deja vu all over again for the Hammers. Just like last season, West Ham plays well in the first half and then capitulate in the second. I remember vividly how at one stage last season the Irons were in 8th league placing based on first half performance only. The same situation seemed to be recurring and is not improving.

Beaten again by bogey team, Bolton once more at home, this defeat makes it three losses in a row against the Trotters at Upton Park. Some may say that Bolton got lucky and that West Ham were all over them in the first half. Although it is true that Grant's players were great in the first half, the developing pattern is frighteningly familiar. I fear the phrase "West Ham turning the corner very soon" will once more be a well-used statement to describe how good the boys are playing but that "corner" will remain, like last year, elusive.

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West Ham 2009/2010 Premier League Season Review

It was hard to find positives in a pretty disastrous season for West Ham. But hey, at least WE ARE STILL IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE!! That's cause enough for celebrations. Fortunately for the Hammers, there were three other teams which performed worse than us....marginally.

The 2009/2010 season was all about these five major incidents:

1. The Wolves away win

That opening win remains West Ham's ONLY away win for the recently concluded season. That match at Molineux was the only time that West Ham ever showed any real cohesion in attack, defence and midfield. Sadly, that win moved all West Ham fans to expect great things for the season. That faith appeared misplaced now as I look back at how much West Ham have underachieved in the 2009/2010 season. Perhaps the sale of Collins and injuries to Cole and Collison were valid reasons for the struggles.

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