Joe Cole: Stay or go???

[WhiskeyJar]

Its still early days but the papers are going on about how he has lost his trickery and flair.

 

I think he has still to prove himself and by the end of the season we should have a much more clear picture.

 

I say stay work hard and there might be a place for him in the first team.

[Trucker Paddy]

Him or Maxi has to go, no room in squad for both

[WhiskeyJar]

Him or Maxi has to go, no room in squad for both

 

Hmm, I can see them both playing in the same side but at the same time I would like to keep Cole if I had to choose between the two. Maxi is good but we might just more money for him if he need to sell either of them.

 

Cole has trickery, maybe that will come out even more when we play an attacking formation with Gerrard, Suarez and Carroll up with him...

[NLW2010]

While I do agree to some extent that he has lost pace and flair, the reasons are understandable, first game gets sent off quite harshly and that sets his confidence back .

Somewhat unlucky with injuries and a previous manager who's approach would never suit someone like Cole .

He tends to "over try" to impress and is now lacking 4 or 5 games of match fitness .

To get rid of him in the summer would be a little hasty, I think he still has a lot to offer in terms of impact sub/squad player, he just needs time to get fit and find his footing with the team .

 

I'd say keep him for 1 more year and see how he develops .

[Anubis]

To be honest, it's difficult to assess Cole as he's not had a long enough run in the side to be able to do so. Perhaps that, in itself, answers the question.

[Trucker Paddy]

I'd certinly play him again Sunday if he's fit

[navbasi]

If he can prove his fitness from now till the end of the season then I would defo keep him, however, if he continues to pick up little niggles that keep him out for a week here and a week there then I would move him on in the summer.

 

I'd love him to be a success but he hasn't been injury free for 18+ months now, hopefully he's due a little bit of luck on the injury front.

[René A]

Keep.. After a few matches under his belt i think he can make an impact.. Especially with Suarez, gerrard and carroll around him..

[WhiskeyJar]

I'd certinly play him again Sunday if he's fit

 

I back up that idea. It would a great test for him. His last chance was near the end of the game, got to it but shot wide. I think there will be more from him IF we can get him fit.

 

There is a fine line blaming confidence and match fitness. I am hoping once he is fit that things will simply click into place for him.

[lucozade]

Kenny said Joe needs a run of at least 4 or 5 games before he should be judged at all. As Kenny said when you turn on the tap it takes a while before the hot water comes out. If he can keep playing we should be in a better place to assess what he has or hasn't lost in another couple of weeks.

[Jim MM]

I'd persevere with him. His confidence and sharpness can only improve and we'll want players with experience of winning the league next season.

[Fink]

He needs match fitness and confidence - if he cant get either then he needs to go. He has the ability, just needs to get himself sorted and for us to get behind him on the datys that he does turn out.

[1892-LFCWasBorn]

I'd get rid in the summer. Shame, cause I was over the moon (like I was for Kewell) when we signed him. Looks like Ancelotti and Capello knew the score.

 

Maxi and Raul are much better options and much more reliable. If we end up signing Ashley Young or Hazard, it would pretty make Joe's place in the squad redundant anyway.

 

For £90k a week that he's getting, I'd expect a hell of a lot more than he's given us so far. It wouldn't be unfair to say he's completely bombed.

[Dicko]

Should never have been signed.

But he's here now so we have to get behind him, and hope he rediscovers some of his old form.

Which to be honest I didn't think was all that much anyway.

[Guest davelfc]

I can only hope that with a decent set of strikers up front and Gerrard back we will see a lot more from Cole. I cling to the belief that things have not worked out well for one reason or another and under the right circumstances it will click for him.

[emryscb]

he tried hard last night and would likely have scored except for ngog's intervention. I agree he needs to be given a chance so 4-5 starts are crucial for him.

 

I will be happy with whatever Kenny decides (keep or sell) in the summer.

[Red Lad]

I'd keep him and bin Maxi if one had to go.

 

Also like to see him start on Sunday. He needs match time and could yet prove he is still a good player.

[danielo]

I think Cole would benefit from better players around him. There are other squad members that should be shipped out before we can think about Cole though.

[corro]

He can go for me as his injury problems will get worse and worse so he won't get the run of games in the side.

Couple this with the wages he gets and Ithink we should unload him in the summer.

Going forward where is he going to get into the side this august

[Unrighteous]

I reckon both he AND Maxi can go.

[WhiskeyJar]

I reckon both he AND Maxi can go.

 

I would agree with Maxi, but Cole can be an asset as previous posters have stated. Just needs time and match fitness.

[Pidge]

For a start, who gives a fuck what the papers say?

 

Cole is determined to make it work, I think he'll come good, if you look at when he's played, the few times we've put in attacking performances he's been good, but when we've camped in our own half he's been shite. It's not rocket science.

 

Maxi is a good player too, people have really short memories if they can't even remember his performances three months ago when he was our best player. His form has gone out of the window though and he looks like a luxury to be fair. He's had some stinkers recently. I don't think we can play him without Stevie in the team, otherwise, like Cole, he'll be too deep trying to start moves rather than doing what he's good at and helping complete them.

 

Wouldn't cry if either were to leave, but I think they are far from our worst players. Cutting the technically capable players first seems like a stupid plan of action to me.

[WaltonRed]

Keep him

[Captain Turdseye]

I've always liked him and think he can be a quality player again. He deserves one more season to show what he can do.

[Guest Slim(fast)Shady]

Stay definitely.....although how old is Cole?

 

Anyway a bit "gonna get shouted down for this" but why as Maxi earnt the right to be called by his first name? Just a thought...