Joe Cole

[pauliewalnuts]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

[GordonCowansisthegreatest]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

If that's because Grealish has established himself as a first teamer then he has probably served his purpose and those five games will be to give him a breather :-)

[pauliewalnuts]

I hope Grealish gets his chance - a proper one, not ten minutes here and there.

[supertom]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

I would also hope by the time his second season rolls around, we'll have had our takeover and be looking at players more akin to Joe Cole in his prime.

[Rolta]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

You did though :/

Yeah, I'll worry about next year next year – after we see what Joe Cole and the team can do right now. This season, with the club about to be sold and in limbo, when Joe Cole is 32, turning 33 (like plenty of players still doing well), not 35. And if he plays a decent part this season then there is something to be positive about. And as you're so worried it might not actually be difficult to move him on next summer considering his profile. He'll still likely be able to attract offers from MLS or elsewhere, and unlike our other players in the past, by all accounts he'll be able to increase his wage if he leaves us.

That's if it doesn't work out, but hopefully it does.

It's your choice to focus on the negatives (er, or make them up).

[andyh]

I am warming to the idea of Cole.
But, if he says Birminum when talking about the city he now plays in, I'll turn on him like stink!

[Rolta]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

I mean listen to yourself – JOE COLE IS 32! There's no hope with this kind of attitude.

And why do you presume he's come here to coast? I know if I was a footballer I'd actually want to be good!

[pauliewalnuts]

That "making things up" line again.

I am prepared to concede there's poor maths, however.

Still, 34 years old, point remains.  Old player, hasn't done it for yonks, come to coast. I bet he starts less than five league games in his second season.

I mean listen to yourself – JOE COLE IS 32! There's no hope with this kind of attitude.

And why do you presume he's come here to coast? I know if I was a footballer I'd actually want to be good!

FFS, here we go again.

I said he was going to be 35 IN THE LAST TWO THIRDS OF HIS FINAL SEASON, you pointed out it was 34. I would have thought it was obvious that was what I was referring to. I am not saying he's 34 now.

Incidentally, getting something wrong or making an error of arithmetic is not the same as "making things up"

How has he managed not to "be good" for the last three years, then? He has looked hopelessly past it.

Compare and contrast with the likes of Barry, who is the same age and has still looked like he can do it.

I fear he will be coasting because it's his last contract, and he's looked like he's coasting for several years now.

[pauliewalnuts]

I am warming to the idea of Cole.
But, if he says Birminum when talking about the city he now plays in, I'll turn on him like stink!

I fear that's a thing he is programmed genetically to do, sadly, as a cockernee.

[PaulWinch again]

I think the issue is whether Cole is to supplement other signings or he's the most ambitious signing we get. If it's the former then I'm fine with it and I think he could be useful. If it's the latter then it's a slightly different matter. Either way though he's better than what we had available, so that's a good thing.

[not3bad]

I think the issue is whether Cole is to supplement other signings or he's the most ambitious signing we get. If it's the former then I'm fine with it and I think he could be useful. If it's the latter then it's a slightly different matter. Either way though he's better than what we had available, so that's a good thing.

The most ambitious signing we get (if there is a more ambitious one) will probably be a loan.

[pauliewalnuts]

I think the issue is whether Cole is to supplement other signings or he's the most ambitious signing we get. If it's the former then I'm fine with it and I think he could be useful. If it's the latter then it's a slightly different matter. Either way though he's better than what we had available, so that's a good thing.

The most ambitious signing we get (if there is a more ambitious one) will probably be a loan.

Is Barry on a free?

[eamonn]

Grealish and Cole. Jack and Joe. Sounds like a good pairing. Potential Jack Jones Jeans endorsements in the offing for both too.

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

I accept that I didn't really word it very well, and I'm not altogether disagreeing with your point of view.
The point being made is: How many of us didn't raise an eyebrow at the signings of Withe, McGrath and Merson? I reckon if we're all honest the answer would be very few.
All three had a good pedigree, but when we acquired them we bought one journey man and two alcoholics!!  All three turned out to be absolute master strokes by the relevant managers.
The other side of the coin would be Cascarrino (?), Colleymore and, to a certain degree, Ireland. Signings which excited us at the time but turned out to be false dawns.

I don't recall being excited by Cascarino, and if anyone was, the first game would have swiftly changed that mood.  Same with Ireland - I was hopeful perhaps, but not particularly excited, especially as we'd lost Milner in the deal.  Collymore was different because he was supposedly "one of us" and genuinely had the talent to make a difference to a team that was around the Top 6.

[LeeS]

Whatever you think of Cole, the speculation that this is as good as it gets for us this summer is exactly that - speculation. We might still be in the market for actual signings (ones that cost money). We just dont know. Should Lambert have told Cole to hide in the wardrobe for a couple of months until we've signed those other players just so that it didnt give the wrong impresion to hysterical fans?