The future of Joe Cole?

[kubrickscube]

Not been given a sniff yet by Kenny. Is he injured? Out of form? Off field problems? Ran over Kenny's dog?

Admittedly, bar a very impressive performance against an unimpressive opposition, (Rabotnicki [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjUtHNGIWw8"]YouTube - Joe Cole - Liverpool v.s. Rabotnicki by ElAlonso[/ame] )
he's been a bit rubbish (getting sent off didn't help) but surely a good player doesn't turn into Paul Konchesky overnight. How much of his poor form was down to the overall team performance, collectively low confidence and some dodgy tactics?

Surely Cole is the ideal player to slip into Kenny's new more fluid attacking midfield? So why isn't he getting a look in?

[Gray]

Kenny doesn't do simpletons

[Drago]

He looks over-weight to me, and knackered after 15 minutes of the game.

Then again he always ran about with his tongue at his ankles.

[Shaggy]

Apparently he picked up (another) knock in training on Monday which is why he wasn't even on the bench the other night. Knee injury.

However he's been on the bench before under Kenny and if memory serves hasn't had any action at all.

At the last World Cup when people were clamouring for Capello to pick Cole, I was of the opinion he'd shown absolutely nothing since returning from his last big injury to warrant being picked. Then we signed him and I allowed myself to get excited. In reality he hasn't played well for a long, long time. On his astronomical wages I can see only one outcome, and that's on yer bike in the summer Joe.

Shame cos he seems a great lad, he's embraced LFC and the city....but on the evidence of his performances so far for us, he's as good as finished. He seems really unfit too.

In his defence, Hodgson played him in some criminal positions. Orthodox left mid in a 4-4-2, often spending most of his time in our own half just in front of PFK. He even played in centre-midfield once. Before we get rid I would like to see him given his head in a proper role that suits him, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for good performances.

[Fosterbloke]

I'm a bit surprised too. Surely he would make a great sub if he gets fit?

[spud_gun]

A monumental waste of wages. £19m over the next 4 or 5 years?

Thanks very much Purslow.

[Daniel 7]

I don't know if he's even worth the effort. I'd sell him on, get him off the wage bill. Never been convinced by him, always seems that he's flattered his way though his career with a fancy flick here or a deflected goal there. Bar the goal v Sweden in 2006, I've never seen him do anything, and he's past his peak now. When has he ever owned a game you've watched, or at last been a driving influence?

[McDermotX]

He looks over-weight to me, and knackered after 15 minutes of the game.

Then again he always ran about with his tongue at his ankles.

A monumental waste of wages. £19m over the next 4 or 5 years?

Thanks very much Purslow.

[Craig_H]

I don't know if he's even worth the effort. I'd sell him on, get him off the wage bill. Never been convinced by him, always seems that he's flattered his way though his career with a fancy flick here or a deflected goal there. Bar the goal v Sweden in 2006, I've never seen him do anything, and he's past his peak now. When has he ever owned a game you've watched, or at last been a driving influence?

You missed those goals he's scored against us then?

[Fredo]

I've never rated him that much and I won't list why I think so again, it's been well documented.

I think Kenny will get rid in the summer. He's too 'expensive' to be staying on the bench and at 29, his value won't increase in the reserves.

[RichC]

not sure about Joe Cole, clearly has talent but perhaps the injuries have caught up with him.

IMO between now and the end of the season he'll need to knuckle down get fit and force his way into Kennys thinking by working his arse off in training, if he can do this there is a future here for him still - if not I'd expect us to cash in (maybe 4 - 5 million) this summer on him

[CJ]

as i have said before i think he is very talented. However for some reason that talent doesnt come through as often as it should. That is especially true lately.

if he doesnt show that talent for us then he has to go.

[lickedlollipop]

sell him - for like 4mil to club like west ham or smth

[RichC]

spurs will probably be in for him - they go in for every other player on the planet!

[CJ]

van der vaart or j cole.

damn we made a bad choice there, if we had that choice that is.