Joe Cole

[supertom]

Fundamentally he is better than we already had, so it's a positive signing in my opinion. Yes he isn't as good as he was, but if he was he wouldn't be signing for us. Could have gone abroad for more money but has joined because he wants to play, that has to be good.

That last part is the positive aspect of this, for me. We're paying him peanuts compared to what he's had in the past, and what he probably could still get playing overseas. He could have happily semi-retired for big bucks in the MLS or another big money league abroad. He'd have been a superstar in the MLS with his box of tricks.

I think that he's still got some Premier League ambition is good. Seems like he wants to prove he's still got it. Hopefully he will.

[silhillvilla]

Perhaps he's got family, kids settled at school here etc.
Moving to the US is a big ordeal in this scenario especially if it's only for a couple of years.

[PeterWithesShin]

Perhaps he's got family, kids settled at school here etc.
Moving to the US is a big ordeal in this scenario especially if it's only for a couple of years.

According to wiki, he has 2 young children. Although in some ways, if you're going to move abroad i'd have thought it's better when they are very young rather than a few years later when they will have settled into schools and have friends etc.

Then again I have no kids so am just guessing.

[*shellac*]

First we approach Rio then this.  Any chance of Nige coming back?   Or Marlon?

I feel so West Ham now.

[Breezeblock]

My optimism fairy was gaily skipping along singing "another McGrath / Merson" when my pessimism fairy kicked him in the nads and scrawled "Pires / Ginola" on his forehead in permanent marker while he was rolling around the floor in agony. And then he pissed on him.

[Morten]

Cole in, Bowery out. Fine with me.

That he has been told he will play centrally, sounds goods.

Free transfer of the season ;-)

[Tuco Salamanca]

A depressing signing that just indicates what a state the club is in.

And a 2 year contract? What evidence is there that he can perform at this level at all, never mind for 2 years? Bonkers.

[LeeB]

A depressing signing that just indicates what a state the club is in.

And a 2 year contract? What evidence is there that he can perform at this level at all, never mind for 2 years? Bonkers.

It's not depressing if you were already sufficiently depressed before it happened.

And to be fair, he has a fair body of work at this level, which we haven't said for one of our signings for a while.

[peter w]

He does make the new home shirt look a bit West Hamish doesn't he?

[LeeS]

Seems like he scored 5 goals in 31 appearances for the Spammers. So that makes him way more prolific than else anyone in our midfield.

[LeeB]

I'm going to stick my neck out and say he'll a better signing for us than Stephen Fucking Ireland.

[Breezeblock]

*sigh* welcome Joe. You have the ability in spades.  Here's hoping you can stay away from the treatment table long enough to make a difference. Gods know we've had shit luck with injuries lately.

[Tuco Salamanca]

A depressing signing that just indicates what a state the club is in.

And a 2 year contract? What evidence is there that he can perform at this level at all, never mind for 2 years? Bonkers.

It's not depressing if you were already sufficiently depressed before it happened.

And to be fair, he has a fair body of work at this level, which we haven't said for one of our signings for a while.

I guess its depressing because it suggests that no one at the club expects a takeover to happen before the start of the season.

If there was even a slight chance wouldn't we have waited  to sign Cole & Senderos? I can't believe there was a stampede for either signature.

[paul_e]

Grealish can learn a lot from Joe Cole I see the sense in this signing .

That's my view on it as well, if that's all he brings to the club then so be it.  For me Grealish has the potential to be a great player and the club should be doing what it can to make the most of that potential.

[rob_bridge]

My optimism fairy was gaily skipping along singing "another McGrath / Merson" when my pessimism fairy kicked him in the nads and scrawled "Pires / Ginola" on his forehead in permanent marker while he was rolling around the floor in agony. And then he pissed on him.

Pires - Shudder.

We nicked him from under the noses of Crawley Town.

Houllier - Everyone needs to live near Birmignham
Dissenter(s) - What about him (Pires)?
Houllier - Except for him.