Joe Cole

[Brend'Watkins]

imo there are only two scenarios that will see us pay for a player this summer; if we are sold, and secondly, if we sell first. Maybe the restaurant meet was to give Randy the chance to personally deliver  bad news  budget wise to Lambert and try and sweeten it a little with the personal touch and a nice dessert. Lambert certainly looked pissed off on the flight home according to people who saw  him, but I suppose that could just have been the shrimp and grits. Cole and the other chap are where we are now; in the freebie bin.

It's a step up from the bin we were rummaging through when we signed Sylla and Holt.

The problem is, we need to stop rummaging around bins, full stop. Or at least move from the bins area towards the restaurant entrance. Perhaps infringe on the car park.

We need to move swiftly to the reduced-to-clear shelf, find an eclair with slight pastry damage.

Waiting eagerly for the about-to-pass-sell-by-date marked down flapjacks to make an appearance.

We're just shopping for Whoopsies really.

[brian green]

I agree with all the above. I think Lambert is morphing himself into Tony Pulis to - if not save his job - get something on his CV to get him a job post take over.  The young, progressive, talented spotter of young players with potential is a busted flush. It now has to be no nonsense, straight talking, player revitalizing cheap operating manager who can take points off other shit clubs.

[silhillvilla]

Lambert has probably come out of this with his reputation in tact but i still can't fathom Lerners decision making in all this, as he got anything right? including the decision to buy us in the first place.

Lerner purchased us as part of a mid life crisis . Most of us buy a crass 2 sweater convertible sports car.
He bought a football club, a new $50m plane and got divorced.
3 years into ownership I think he realised what a silly decision it was .

[Olneythelonely]

I can't afford two sweaters on their own, never mind as well as a sports car.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

We'd be pretty unfortunate if between Cole and N'Zogbia we can't go some way to improving our creativity this season.

Even at his best was Joe Cole really considered as some sort of midfield playmaker who can split defences with a killer ball, or keep hold of it and play the right ball?

Perhaps I'm misjudging him, but I always thought he was a tricksy show pony who could occasionally pull off spectacular goals, and maybe beat a few defenders through pure talent and skill, but not consistent, hard working or clever enough to make a difference over a season.

[mr underhill]

 I think we should be snapping up  Brian Éclair. He might have just passed his best before date, but at least he's Scottish.

[Nirog72]

I've not seen enough of him over the last few years to make a judgement. I have no doubt the Allardyce style didn't suit him. If we are lucky he may have the similar type of composure and calmness we saw from Robbie Keane when he was loaned to us? Someone whose movement is good, actually wants the ball and doesn't give it straight back to the opposition. Or he might be cack. Who knows.

I'm not sure his style of play suits the quick counter attack we have favoured the last couple of years so maybe this signals a change in direction, more time for players like Cole and Grealish (if what I have heard about him is correct) with Delph etc playing a slightly different way? 2 year deal at £25k per week is relatively cheap these days so it's potentially a gamble worth taking (although I reserve the right to strop about it should he be cack).

Not happy, not outraged, just curious to see what he brings.

[Jane]

Joe "F*cking" Cole.  That is all.

I lied. He now has a nice message for us: vine.co/v/Mjqzdau3l7v

Bless.

[Toronto Villa]

My clutching at straws hope is that he comes to is in a Zola to Chelsea kind of way.

[shaunreynolds]

I think its clear to see that Lerner/Faulkner/Lambert vision of success with youngster has not worked out!!! Thats why the likes of Bent/Nzogbia and Hutton have been brought back into the fold along with the signings of Senderos and Cole. They have realised that they need experience in the side. Both Senderos and Cole are Free so we are only paying wages (hopefully pay as you play but cant see it!!) Bent/Hutton/Nzog are all still being paid so ultimately we havent lost anything. Lets get them in the side and see what they can do!! UTV

[Olneythelonely]

Signed.

[Simon Ward]

We are just like the squeezed middle class! Can't afford to shop at Waitrose or Sainsbury's any more so having to go to Lidl or Aldi for our shopping!




ps Welcome Joe

[QBVILLA]

I just want to join in with a few !!!!!

[JUAN PABLO]

one good thing I like about Joe Cole at least

[Monty]

It's worth waiting for the other transfers before assessing this one, I think. It looks a bit desperate, the two year deal, but if he really is on something like £20-30k then I suppose the other side of the compromise was another year on the contract, and the rest of the summer will tell us how significant Cole's contribution is expected to be. Nothing is moving right now apart from freebies and the Champions League clubs, so I'll wait a bit before deciding how I feel about this one.