Liverpool midfielder Cole proving to be just an ordinary Joe

[dww]

I think Cole's past it. Injuries have caught up. An actual proper manager might get a good couple of years out of him though

As an aside, why's Hodgson letting Bruckner pick the team?

I honestly think that for games like this Bruckner should be having a big input. What is the point in having conditioning experts if we then pick teams for meaningless matches without using their advice?

Maybe we should let him do the tactics as well

[CJ]

There was a long period where Mourinho used him though and he was Chelsea's best player. I think the injury thing has been a real problem for a while and has lessened his impact on games. Perhaps if he were given a proper break (handled similarly to how we did Aquilani last year) he might come good again. I thought he was a massive gamble when we got him and at the minute he is proving that to be true.

Not sure that we have the time at the minute to wait for a player to be ready. Roy might well be effectively ending Cole's career at the minute.

oh i am not saying he inst a good player. he clearly has ability i just wondered why all those managers chose not to play him for long periods.

I think its hard to judge alot of our players at the moment (apart from PFK and Poulsen) due to the crap manager we have.

I think our next manager will decide on this.

[dww]

oh i am not saying he inst a good player. he clearly has ability i just wondered why all those managers chose not to play him for long periods.

I think its hard to judge alot of our players at the moment (apart from PFK and Poulsen) due to the crap manager we have.

I think our next manager will decide on this.

I know what you are saying I was just saying that those managers have only had one period when he has been consistently fully fit and during that time he was first choice. When injured or coming back he is a bit of a passenger and lacks the game intelligence to make up for his physical frailty.

I can actually imagine that if fit he might suit some of Roy's tactics (like Duff at Fulham, although he always seemed to me to read a game better than Cole) . Rigid, simple plans cutting in from a wing could play to his strong suits.

[Danoner Forrest]

FOR ****S SAKE PLAY HIM IN HIS BEST POSITION BEHIND THE STRIKER

He is not now, nor never has been a left midfielder, he cannot now nor never has been able to compete for high balls, he is not now nor never has been a deep lying winger covering for a left back. Pat Nevin got it right, Woy is ****ing him up by playing him in a role he cant really play in. When he switched to the centre last night immediatly he looked better and got involved. Woys **** tactics are so rigid nobody has any creative freedom (confirmed by Fulham players when he left) 100% that doesnt suit Joe Cole's game.

[dww]

How many games has he ever played behinds a striker? He's played most of his best football on the left as far as I'm aware.

[Fierce]

FOR ****S SAKE PLAY HIM IN HIS BEST POSITION BEHIND THE STRIKER

He is not now, nor never has been a left midfielder, he cannot now nor never has been able to compete for high balls, he is not now nor never has been a deep lying winger covering for a left back. Pat Nevin got it right, Roy is ****ing him up by playing him in a role he cant really play in. When he switched to the centre last night immediatly he looked better and got involved. Roys **** tactics are so rigid nobody has any creative freedom (confirmed by Fulham players when he left) 100% that doesnt suit Joe Cole's game.

That's just not true

How many games has he ever played behinds a striker? He's played most of his best football on the left as far as I'm aware.

Been said before, but like Kuyt, I think he struggles in a rigid 4-4-2 formation and notably so when he's being told to hug the halfway line

I see his best position as to the left of one of 3 behind a striker; with 2 midfielders behind

I don't think he's finished at all, but I don't believe he'll shine under this manager

[danperkins]

Cole is a very talented footballer that is having a nightmare at LFC. I completely agree with others that another manager with more expansive tactics will get the best out of him, flat 4-4-2 is too rigid for Cole IMO. I genuinely feel sorry for the guy because he literally can do nothing right.

I know people are saying he has played on the left for most of his career, although i'm not denying that i think he is far to predictable out there. He came in more central last night and was much more involved and should have scored. To be honest when all our injury worries are over and we sign some players in january i think it might be very difficult for Cole to get in the team. Might be just another squaddie.

[Exiled_red]

How many games has he ever played behinds a striker? He's played most of his best football on the left as far as I'm aware.

Also Gerrard is better off the striker than Cole. He's played alot of games from the left and been effective, providing the tactics are appropriate and under Roy they aren't! He's having to play far to deep. IMO we need to revert to the 4-2-3-1, with a midfield/attack of:

Meireles Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Cole
Torres

The 4-4-2 doesn't suit alot of our midfield/"wide" players and they are our main threat. Gerrard, Kuyt, Cole all become round pegs in square holes in a 4-4-2 and these are some of our most important players

[The Birdman]

As with everything else to do with LFC at the moment the problem lies squarely with the manager not any individual player.
Get a decent, modern manager in and we will instantly see improvements in the form of players like Johnson, Agger (Roy wouldn't pick him if fit) Kuyt, Cole, Torres and Meireles.

[Vermilion]

Agree, Joe Cole playing in a good fluid confident attacking team with talent would fit right in, and would imo add to any team of that ilks quality.

Right now all the players are suffering together, the influence of the manager and results is having that effect, but we sorely need to add some more quality soon, not loads of players, just two or three very good purchases.

edit: oh..and sack the manager first obviously.

[Craig_H]

He's starting to get fed up with playing wide, when he was promised the 'in the hole' position when he signed. He's still trying his best and putting in the effort to make things work, but there's a downbeat mood in the camp which he's feeling as much as anyone. Apparently it's "not much fun" and players arent enjoying their football.

Hodgson's days are numbered.

[red g]

Well we went from an absolute workaholic who had a very rigid vision on how people play and a plan for everything to a 4-4-2 man with zero flair.

Must be awful to be a top player at Liverpool at the moment being managed by this muppet

[Muddled]

There is only one player that has shined under Roy and thats Soto.

And Maxi.

Who ironically enough, is playing his best football for Liverpool, from the left of the midfield.

Some of the vitriol aimed at Hodgson is warranted, but blaming him for a player who is just devoid of any form is wrong. I want Hodgson gone as much as the next fan, but Cole himself is to blame for the way he is playing at the moment.

[Roboklopp]

He's starting to get fed up with playing wide, when he was promised the 'in the hole' position when he signed. He's still trying his best and putting in the effort to make things work, but there's a downbeat mood in the camp which he's feeling as much as anyone. Apparently it's "not much fun" and players arent enjoying their football.

Hodgson's days are numbered.

Sounds like youve heard summat mate?

[Shaggy]

And Maxi.

Who ironically enough, is playing his best football for Liverpool, from the left of the midfield.

Some of the vitriol aimed at Hodgson is warranted, but blaming him for a player who is just devoid of any form is wrong. I want Hodgson gone as much as the next fan, but Cole himself is to blame for the way he is playing at the moment.

Surely it's a combination of both? He's playing poorly but it's heightened by the fact he's in a role which is alien to him.