http://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/latest-news/cole-i-want-to-prove-myself Thoughts on whether Joe Cole can come back and get first team action and improve our squad or do you think we'd be better clearing him off the wage bill?
I'd better warn you now... I posed this simple question about a month ago and got a pretty hostile response.... GKRK
Personally I do think he may suit a slightly different formation under Rodgers but if we flogged him it would certainly give us a big chunk of wages to play with.
If FSG wanted to cut the wage bill then Cole would already be being offered to all and sundry. I could be completely wrong but I think Rodgers will give him the chance to in pre-season and maybe until Christmas to prove he can bring quality and experience to the squad.
I hope he does stay & turn it round. I'd always rather see a player display what we're paying for no matter how late rather than slink off with what amounts to a wheelbarrow of free cash.
Think he will def stay and think he will play. He is saying all the right things at the moment so we shall see. Again he knows what it takes to win and that will be crucial.
I think some people forget how useless he was for us. One of the first things the king did was to drop him. I would much rather see Shelvey feature more.
I don't. But apparently there is a clean sheet approach from BR. Are you saying that if selected you want him to continue to be rubbish? Although I can see you're point with Shelvey as he's a young player with plenty ahead so by all means if they are both performing equally I'd go with S as he's been there putting it on the line when Cole was eating snails.
I'm a big second chance guy and he was good, no doubt, so if he can gain that back that can only be a positive.
He's not getting younger and takes up a huge wage percentage, so I don't see what he would bring back to the club. There are hundreds of young continental players that have a better suited style to BR and can provide long term safety. I say cancel his contract as a sign of goodwill while he's got potential suitors. He's a good fella, trying to prove to us fans that he wants to prove himself to the club. But nonetheless not the quality or long term benefit we need. If we could come to a mutual agreement, making him a free agent (he'd have Lille probably wanting him back) it would be the best for both parties. It would free up the squad spot he is demanding, get some wages cut down, and let him control his destiny.
Ok so here is the thing. I think this breaks down into 3 simple categories. 1. Fitness/"legs" - does he have the legs to play in the prem any more, at a top 4 level 2. Wages - if he his fit enough does he have the game to merit 90k per week 3. Fit - where would he fit into our team? How would he contribute to the play we want. I wrote a rough 4-3-3 wondering how rodgers might play Reina Johnson skertl Agger enrique Gerrard Lucas Adam Suarez Carroll Cole now "on paper" that team looks sexy indeed does it not.... often i think we talk our side down and others like spurs up. with henderson and shelvey to come in there are some options there in midfield, if not top options... Honestly looking at it i think downing looks more a misfit than joe cole... I could see joe cole play that left side forward role
That formation lacks pace throughout the front line. Gerrard Carroll Suarez Would improve it as would. Gerrard Suarez Bellamy and Downing Carroll Sterling My point being we have loads of options in a front 3 but I don't see a place for Cole.
You don't need pace against sides that park the bus considering the tikka takka football we are expecting to eventually see under Rodgers, we'll pen them in so it needs creativity and concentration Pace is required against teams that are prepared to play against us, plus the majority of away games
pace is ALWAYS better than no pace. the thing is I do agree about a "lack of pace" I don't believe in bellamy, i didn't believe in him first time round any more than pennent and frankly aside form a few good good moment he wasn't that good now was he? he's ancient, has dodgy knees and isn't up to it. here's the thing, first you need to be able to get to the ball, kuyt could no longer get there in any foot race no matter what advantage he had. If you can last 90mins (maxi cannot patently) and you can get on the ball then its all about skills.... cole does have them, more than downing IMO. I'd like to think finally that someday suso and sterling would be real options for us... the question simply must be what do we do for now... I'd rather invest in one top striker and a real midfielder in that 4-3-3. I still beleive firmly we need 6 players to compete and don't have them and cole isn't one of those. eg martinez in for adam and have someone with pace on the bench to replace carroll.... at least it'd improve us...
I didn't say pace wouldn't help, I was just saying it is not a necessity at home to the lower sides. If I had the option then all eleven players in the starting line-up would have pace Only six now...? I'm sure you was saying eight not so long ago... Edit: looks like you're going to have to put up with Bellers...link
