Liverpool midfielder Cole proving to be just an ordinary Joe

[Roboklopp]

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.

Bit of a vicious circle if you ask me.

[Craig_H]

Sounds like youve heard summat mate?

I know a couple of his mates and rang one of them this morning. He reckons Cole doesnt want out and he doesnt want to rock the boat, but he's not enjoying things (football-wise - he loves the city) and not many of them are. He's Ok with playing wide if the team is set up to utilise him (and creative players) properly, but he doesnt feel like the way we play is best suited to his strengths. It's all 'plodding along' at the moment without much direction.

[Craig_H]

Just to add to that, it's not a case of blame, and he knows he isnt playing well either.

[The Birdman]

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.

I always thought Maxi played well under Rafa, the differences this season are that he has had 6 months to settle in and goals. This season Maxi has scored goals, last season he couldn't buy a goal.

[Roboklopp]

I know a couple of his mates and rang one of them this morning. He reckons Cole doesnt want out and he doesnt want to rock the boat, but he's not enjoying things (football-wise - he loves the city) and not many of them are. He's Ok with playing wide if the team is set up to utilise him (and creative players) properly, but he doesnt feel like the way we play is best suited to his strengths. It's all 'plodding along' at the moment without much direction.

Seems a reasonable take on things.

Cheers for the info.

[DannyMan2006]

Well we all knew Cole was past his best when we signed him in the summer. However we also pretty much agreed that what he did have is still enough to be a very good player and one who should walk into our first team.

So what's the problem? Quite simply it's Roy Hodgson. His tactics just don't suit Cole in anyway, shape or form. As already pointed out, for those who have been watching our games this season with their eyes closed, Pat Nevins bit at HT yesterday pretty much summed it all up.

Cole hasn't been given the stage to show himself at its best. And the sad thing is, it's really getting to him. He is clearly frustrated and is starting to snatch at simple chances. Torres is guilty of exactly the same thing and it's soul destroying to see.

Watching Liverpool players this season makes them look like nothing more than mid table ****e, an average team full of average players. In all honesty I think I've only seen one top notch performance from any of our attacking players this year, and that was Stevie's second half performance v Napoli.

[Redspin]

I always thought Maxi played well under Rafa, the differences this season are that he has had 6 months to settle in and goals. This season Maxi has scored goals, last season he couldn't buy a goal.

....except his fine goal away at Burnley (3 assists too - only four players made more)

[el matador]

for me its simple. he's ordinary because he's ****.

i thought he was a good acquisition on a free but given his signing on fee and his wages its been a terrible decision.

if someone offered £7 - £10m in january id drive him there myself.

powderpuff lightweight excuse for a footballer.

[Exiled_red]

I'll judge him properly when we have a decent manager, he's a much better player than he has shown so far for us.

[Nick77]

I always said from the beginning that him signing was gonna be more significant off the field than on it in terms of I didn't think we could attract such a player at that stage...

[Arn]

I always said from the beginning that him signing was gonna be moe significant off the field than on it in terms of I didn't think we could attract such a player at that stage...

Says it all really how low expectations we have now when a player like Joe Cole is seen as a great signing.

Reminds me of Tottenham a few years ago.

[RedReet]

I always thought Maxi played well under Rafa, the differences this season are that he has had 6 months to settle in and goals. This season Maxi has scored goals, last season he couldn't buy a goal.

Spot on.

[GorbyPeacePrize]

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.

Who promised Cole the 'in the hole role'?

I'm shocked at the suggestion there is a downbeat mood in the camp; I thought Uncle Roy was just the man to put his arm around everybody's shoulder and have them all whistling a merry tune as they skip into training.

[Craig_H]

there's no way you're a 'new' poster

[GorbyPeacePrize]

there's no way you're a 'new' poster

Who promised Cole the 'in the hole role'?