Joe Cole

[dave.woodhall]

I can't work out why the 32 year old Joe Cole is past it and a bad signing whereas the 33 year old Gareth Barry would apparently be ideal.

[john e]

I am sorry but any comparison between Pirlo and Joe Cole, regardless of age should stop now.

I'm only comparing his age, where Pirlo is the much older man
This is after you compared cole to a couple of 40 year olds who have both retired from the game

You might think your a smart arse with that quip, so be it

But 32 is not all that old for a footballer there are plenty about far older doing pretty decent jobs,
Whether Cole is good enough is another question, but his age is not all that bad,

[kippaxvilla2]

I can't work out why the 32 year old Joe Cole is past it and a bad signing whereas the 33 year old Gareth Barry would apparently be ideal.

This is a fair point, but, my main worry is his injury record.  I think he is a better quality player, but not good on the treatment table.

[LeeS]

I can't work out why the 32 year old Joe Cole is past it and a bad signing whereas the 33 year old Gareth Barry would apparently be ideal.

For me, its because Barry isnt a crock. And Barry is just a better player all-round. Cole has the tricks but when does he use them. Seldom.

[The Grocer]

I'm a bit surprised at some of the negativity around Joe Cole. Unfortunately with the position we're in at the moment then these are surely the sort of signings we need to be looking for. Most of us have complained about the lower league/untried signings, so isn't Cole more the sort of signing we need? Granted his injury record is a worry but we need to be realistic in the short term and at least give the guy a chance. Go Joe!

[Brian Taylor]

The Villa have a very long history of taking older players on who have proved a remarkable success in their day and become favourites of the discriminating fan who appreciates quality football. Andy Lochhead, Peter Broadbent, Derek Dougan, Ron Wylie to name but a few and put me firmly in the discounted ticket bracket.

[QBVILLA]

If we were at the start of August and Joe Cole was the fifth signing of the summer I think the reaction on here would be more positive. These free agent deals get done quicker and i'm sure there are more signings to come. Anyone who says he is a West Ham reject, then please also state what you think of Sam Allardyce as he is the manager who is getting rid. Players divide opinions. The fact Allardyce doesn't rate him doesn't automatically mean he is shit.

[LeeB]

I think its a great move. With the club in limbo we have to cut our cloth accordingly. I'm happy with Cole and Senderos who maybe past their best (we'll see about that) but whose experience will do nothing but good.

This is how I see it, and the same goes for Keane too.

[Dr Butler]

I think its a great move. With the club in limbo we have to cut our cloth accordingly. I'm happy with Cole and Senderos who maybe past their best (we'll see about that) but whose experience will do nothing but good.

This is how I see it, and the same goes for Keane too.

I was just about to post the same reply LeeB

[Clampy]

Didn't Liverpool pay a fortune for him?

[DeKuip]

I can't work out why the 32 year old Joe Cole is past it and a bad signing whereas the 33 year old Gareth Barry would apparently be ideal.

Probably because Barry has just had another very good season and Cole hasn't.
Personally though I think it's a gamble worth taking - if he'd gone elsewhere on a freebie and turned in a few good performances we'd all be on here asking why we never go for a player like him.

[QBVILLA]

Didn't Liverpool pay a fortune for him?

I think they had him on a free but it was (allegedly) about £90k a week

[JUAN PABLO]

ny

I can't work out why the 32 year old Joe Cole is past it and a bad signing whereas the 33 year old Gareth Barry would apparently be ideal.

For me, its because Barry isnt a crock. And Barry is just a better player all-round. Cole has the tricks but when does he use them. Seldom.

exactly . Gareth BArry in the West Ham team would look class above everyone else , Joe Cole did not.

but good luck to him anyway . I just wish lambert had bought some experience in ages ago , shows he isnt good enough but its where we are at.

[Brend'Watkins]

We have all been banging on about how much we need more creativity in the side.  With Joe Cole in the side we'll have a better chance of seeing some.

[Loxton01]

I think what this and the Senderos signing shows is that we are in the market for Free Transfers only.

The free transfers we are looking at are also low down on the quality list. Im sure we went for Lescott but we cant afford his wages so we get Senderos.

Cole is the playmaker link man etc - but to me he is way past his best and he is so injury prone. Yes he might have a good few performances but it certainly strikes me of a desperation signing.

I guess both players give us experience which we have been crying out for but neither make our first team any better at all.

What worries me is our strategy first year young british youth players , second year foreign youngsters now experienced free transfers. It all smacks of desperation and a lack of direction.

However this league after the top six or seven is nothing special and Lambert needs to realise that and start trying to play with some forward movement, work on set pieces etc and play with a greater positivity.

The fans need to seriously lower their expectations to bottom six and maybe when we have we maybe surprised instead of always being disapointed.

Season ticket sales must be at an all time low!!!!