Joe Cole

[ciggiesnbeer]

The only thing I might ask is that at this early stage who has actually spent any money? If these deals are made in August with us having done nothing prior I'd be really concerned. However, it's not and to get a couple of experienced players in even if they are both short term isn't the end of the world.

Good point. Cheers me up a tad.

[pbavfckuwait]

I think how Lambert will play the loan market will be vital.

[ROBBO]

This looks like we are trying to survive next season without spending, doesn't auger well for a quick sale.
Senderos and Cole will probably lose the club another few hundred season ticket holders.

I don't get the last bit. Why would these signings lose us season ticket holders? It might not get us any new ones, I'll buy that but why would some people who sat through last season consider these signings as the last straw and turn in their tickets?

I would imagine that there are many that were holding off hopeful of a new owner, by signing what can only be termed as cast offs would signify that there will be no new owner in the short term and some will weigh things up and decide not to bother.

[WestleyArmsAV]

Some on here need a reality check.
Were skint untill new owners come in. Lambert is doing what he can with limited funds.
A little bit respect for the new signings would be nice. Lets start next season with a fresh start for all old and new players.

This.

UTV

[brian green]

With one event, namely Randy coming out and washing his hands of the club, the whole philosophy of the pursuit of young and hungry cheap players we have been force fed for the last two years has been stood on its head. This is a backs to the wall strategy of zero budget aimed at hanging on to what evere place in the premiership we can until a buyer can be found. It would be more bearable if we could believe that better quality signings will be made later in the window but I think it is very unlikely. This is just finger in the dyke stuff entirely consistent with the paucity of good well thought out forward planning which engulfed the club after the O'Neill debacle. Monty summed it up perfectly for me. We are the cartoon rabbit that has walked off the edge of the cliff and does not know it.

[Legion]

[tom jennings III]

Yep pretty uninspiring stuff, part of me does think at least we're signing players but I think that's just being optimistic. Realistically Cole  is well past his best and I thought he's retired. But he's still probably more creative than the rest of our current midfield.

[QBVILLA]

12 pages of mainly negativity. Look it may or may not work out, and for me if he can contribute to 50% of our games then it's an improvement on what we already have. Without trawling through the archives the thread when we signed N'Zogbia would be good to look at. Lots of excitement, posters even changing their usernames to celebrate the signing of a £9.5 million winger on big money. Well, what do we know eh? I say welcome to Cole and he deserves a chance to shine. The current squad is in my humble opinion the worst group of players we have had in the 25 (ish) years I have been a supporter. I find it hard to believe a 31 yr old England international with plenty of winners medals from his time at Chelsea isn't going to be an improvement.

[silhillvilla]

Not ideal but he's here now so let's just get behind him. Is Nick Barmby still playing ? Or Andy Sinton ? Could add some guile and width

[mr underhill]

Cole's  32 and deemed not good enough for the porn stars, and whatever way you dress it up, he's years past his best and I'm not sure spending another 25k a week on an elder statesman cheerleader is a smart use of scare resource. It looks like we won't actually pay a fee  for a player - even Hooligan - without selling first so you can't blame people for feeling a little down.

[Ian.]

32, but other than that I agree QB. For a free and not a big wage for a player who could give us a spark, I'm all for it.

[WestleyArmsAV]

Welcome Joe Cole.

[andrew08]

I've always found the negativity on here strange but I've got used to it! It's all about opinion and just some people have a different definition of the words 'Fan' and 'Supporter' than I have. Which is fine, life would be boring etc etc.

Is Lambert supposed to just do nothing then? We clearly don't have a large spending budget but have obvious deficiencies in certain positions. We've addressed three of those with the two signings and the swap of Albrighton for the now fit N'Zogbia. So we're a stronger team for it.

All good then surely.

[Ron Manager]

I always like players that have good skills. Joe Cole has excellent skills. Assuming he is not a drinker and keeps himself fit this could be a very welcome signing. He is only 32 and could have taken the route to the States but obviously he thinks he still has a bit left in his tank. He must know Roy Keane is coming and that doesn't appear to worry him. So good luck to the bloke, I for one will be very pleased to see him in a Villa shirt.

[QBVILLA]

32 then my mistake,apologies. As for him not being good enough for West Ham, well football has plenty of stories of players discarded by one club going on to do well elsewhere so time will prove whether it's a good move or not. With the popular opinion on here about Allardyce being less than complimentary I can't see why that's even an issue to be honest. If Senderos and Cole are the only signings we make then yes, it's not good enough. However, It's the 10th of June and we don't know what else is going to happen as yet. Whilst neither signing has exactly inspired me they have for me improved the squad. That has to be a positive.