http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/sp...0032.West_Ham_striker_linked_with_Sunderland/ Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill linked with West Ham United striker Carlton Cole 3:36pm Thursday 8th December 2011 in News Skip social links Print Email Comments(0) New Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill is reportedly keen on signing West Ham striker Carlton Cole. O'Neill has taken over the struggling Premier League club and one of his first aims is to improve their attack as they have lacked goals this season. Cole has been a real threat for the Hammers this season scoring seven times as they have climbed up to second in the Championship.
Well it was bound to happen sooner or later that the journos would start to speculate. Its well documented that MoN likes a big target man in a 4-4-2 formation and wingers. Who may be avaiable? Carlton cole been lonked to every club in the EPL in the last 12 months (us once or twice under Bruce as well) but I cant see it persoanlly. Hes a London boy, on good wages and WHU will more than likely be promoted this season anyway. Why would he come 'ap Norf' for similar wages and play for us? That said mind, MoN does have that little bit of magic about him and may well sell him a nice story? For the record, I like Carlton Cole as he has been awesome evertime Ive seen him play against us. However, my very good WHU pal would happily take our money and drive him up here himself. Its all about opinions I suppose but personally, I reckon Cole needs a change of club to kick start his England claims for the Euros, as he's a better player than Zamora imo and younger too and offers something different.
Im not sure about him cest i think he is to injury prone. I do think Heskey will arrive in January. I think we should try for Pavlachenko or Kalou. If we get a decent goal scorer we will score goals we are creating plenty of chances but not putting them away. I hope Noble gets a run in the team he could do a job if givin a chance
Bloody hell, i hope not, we have to be seting our sights a bit higher than that. He's scoring goals in the Championship, did **** all in the EPL last season.
Heskey is not a goal scorer but as a target man and link up man he has been brilliant. Clearly he has lost pace but the one thing our strike force needs is a focal point. Heskey could be that man. Bendtner certainly isn't. Far too often this season we have been in great positions down either flank with no one in the middle! It's embarrassing really. How hard is it to teach someone to get in the box?
It was too long ago that Zamora was turd either. I myself am not sold on the idea of Cole, but that is not to say I would be against it it was in the offing.
Cole has scored 7 times this season in the Championship, so that would equate to 0 in the PL. Not for me and again we seem to be setting our sights lower than we expect, too old too slow doesn't score enough. 220 appearances and 42 goals says it all for me no chance and FFS stop with the Heskey rumours lads or you might get your wish.
Personally I think MON would want to watch a couple of games up close and personal before making his interest in anyone known. If he was thinking of Cole, the only reason I could see for it would be as a stopgap! Not for me.
If it is a choice between Heskey and Cole, I'd have Cole. But their has to be better than those 2 about?
I still have a feeling we may see KJ back here in January, Stoke probably still owe us some cash, Crouch is getting more game time than him I believe, and I would much rather have KJ than Cole or Heskey.
Who do you think Mark Hughes was going to target then Bart? Messi and Rooney? The reality if our situation is that money is tight. Bruce's problem was he didn't seem to be able to cut his cloth to suit his pocket and recruit ANYONE to replace Bent, Gyan and Welbeck. Bendtner was a last minute panic loan not a long term target. Martin O Neill has made a career out of forming teams of 11 players and fitting players some other managers overlook into that team. It was a trait he borrowed from Brian Clough and its one I am perfectly happy to see him adopt here at the SOL, whoever he brings in.
Was listening to a football agent on talk sh*** he made a lot of sense basically saying most clubs are up to their necks in debt in the prem. It's also not easy to go to the banks these days and say, I need 30 mil for team building. Clubs need to get their houses in order and we are among them. Owners never put their own money in. The draw a wage from the club. Yes they may loan the club money but when they walk away they tske it all back (look at Portsmouth and their owner). These people own our clubs because they maek money, good cash flow, but the debt is always left with the club. That is why we need sensible owners. Look at our friends up the road, how much debt did they have yet you don't see Freddie fatboy Sheppard in a council house do ya? I think Bruce may have lost our chance at big spending. He has bought some players on big wages and long contracts (Brown & O'Shea) in particular. I think Bruces mess is going to take some cleaning up and I'm not sure what MON will be given to do it?
Why?? The man's a donkey. I dont want him near our club - I wouldnt want him even if SAF recommenced him. Besides, he is old and not worth the investment. Cole would be a much better choice than donkey man. (Bendtner looked good last night I thought - hope it continues)
Huh? Bruce was signing players under a wage structure put in place by Quinn and Short, and shifted the dead weight who were given high wages be Keane. There is no mess to sort out, he signing, as a whole, were good - he just couldnt manage them.
