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And, we’re off.......2018/2019

Typical old fashioned game at Hampton & Richmond, somewhere I've spent a good bit of time at in the past and they lead Oldham 1-0 thanks to a lucky penalty decision. Since then Oldham have done everything but score and should have had their own penalty and found a keeper having a career night in goal
 
Joe Cole has announced his retirement. To be honest, I didn't know he was still playing (Tampa Bay Rowdies for the last 2 years apparently). One of the few England players of that lauded generation to actually turn up at a major tournament. A very tidy career.
 
Joe Cole has announced his retirement. To be honest, I didn't know he was still playing (Tampa Bay Rowdies for the last 2 years apparently). One of the few England players of that lauded generation to actually turn up at a major tournament. A very tidy career.
He benefitted greatly from our lack of a left winger in the 4-4-2 years. Was a great technical player on his day. Similar player to Adam Lallana of two years back I think. He will be remembered for that long-range volley against Sweden above all else I think.
 
Virgil van Dijk vs. Sol Bamba this season:



Goals:

VVD - 0

Bamba - 2



Assists:

VVD - 0

Bamba - 1



Shooting success:

VVD - 0%

Bamba - 15.4%



Interceptions:

VVD - 14

Bamba - 26



Tackles won:

VVD - 10

Bamba - 16



Aerial battles won:

VVD - 44

Bamba - 50



Cost:

VVD - £75m

Bamba - Free

Stats don’t lie 🤷‍♂️😂
 
Joe Cole has announced his retirement. To be honest, I didn't know he was still playing (Tampa Bay Rowdies for the last 2 years apparently). One of the few England players of that lauded generation to actually turn up at a major tournament. A very tidy career.

Made the wrong career choice going to cheslki. Jose held him back slightly focusing on defensive side of the wingers duty

If he had gone to untied under fergie he would have flourished

Great player and a true gent

Stories of one day in training one the West Ham coaches was talking about waiting for his knee op (couldn’t afford to go private) next day a cheque was in his pigeon hole from joe to get his knee done privately
 
He benefitted greatly from our lack of a left winger in the 4-4-2 years. Was a great technical player on his day. Similar player to Adam Lallana of two years back I think. He will be remembered for that long-range volley against Sweden above all else I think.
As a Saints fan who watched Lallana from debut, I can comfortably say that a Joe Cole at peak was miles better.

Lallana had 3 years at his best, granted he couldn’t help being with us at a lower level, but imo the fact that they were more skilful than pacy is where the similarities end.
 
Made the wrong career choice going to cheslki. Jose held him back slightly focusing on defensive side of the wingers duty

If he had gone to untied under fergie he would have flourished

Great player and a true gent

Stories of one day in training one the West Ham coaches was talking about waiting for his knee op (couldn’t afford to go private) next day a cheque was in his pigeon hole from joe to get his knee done privately

Yeah wasted his career at Chelsea 😳😂

It was the move after that was the wrong move 😉
 
Yeah wasted his career at Chelsea 😳😂

It was the move after that was the wrong move 😉

He won a lot yes but potential wise he could have won even more and gone on to be an even better player

Not his fault of course. Joe worked hard and adapted his game to fit the system but if played with the freedom of less defensive duties he could have been more vital to the England set up
 
He won a lot yes but potential wise he could have won even more and gone on to be an even better player

Not his fault of course. Joe worked hard and adapted his game to fit the system but if played with the freedom of less defensive duties he could have been more vital to the England set up

We’ll disagree on this one pal.
 
Made the wrong career choice going to cheslki. Jose held him back slightly focusing on defensive side of the wingers duty

If he had gone to untied under fergie he would have flourished

Great player and a true gent

Stories of one day in training one the West Ham coaches was talking about waiting for his knee op (couldn’t afford to go private) next day a cheque was in his pigeon hole from joe to get his knee done privately
He went on to win three league titles , a number of FA Cups and enhanced his reputation and England caps - there is no way he would have earned anything more going to anyone else - the issue he had was getting injuries hence why he left on a free. He was a superb key player at Chelsea and it just seems like bitterness that he went to a rival and was successful
 
Joe Cole was a potentially great player as a teenager but IMO he failed to fulfil that potential .

Ultimately he was a pretty decent player but never a great.
 
He went on to win three league titles , a number of FA Cups and enhanced his reputation and England caps - there is no way he would have earned anything more going to anyone else - the issue he had was getting injuries hence why he left on a free. He was a superb key player at Chelsea and it just seems like bitterness that he went to a rival and was successful

The injuries were linked to the extra work he was putting in for the defensive side of the game he was working on to fit into the system under Jose. Jose demanded high work rate from his wingers. Similar to duff suffering a lot of Injuries post Jose times
 
The injuries were linked to the extra work he was putting in for the defensive side of the game he was working on to fit into the system under Jose. Jose demanded high work rate from his wingers. Similar to duff suffering a lot of Injuries post Jose times
Now you’re been silly.
 
Been plenty of over hyped England players,Cole certainly wasn’t one of them imo

His versatility was part of his issue.. a bit like Gerard for England at times

So many gifted central midfielders around he was shunted to the wing

We started it at West Ham to fit Eduardo cisse into our midfield we shunted Cole to the wing

Whilst he was a fanstatic winger.. he was an even better CAM before they became fashionable
 
The injuries were linked to the extra work he was putting in for the defensive side of the game he was working on to fit into the system under Jose. Jose demanded high work rate from his wingers. Similar to duff suffering a lot of Injuries post Jose times
😂😂

Duff already suffered with a few injuries before hand

And blaming Coles injuries because he also had to back track 😂😂😂😂

Going to Chelsea boosted his career - it’s madness to say it was the wrong career move
 
His versatility was part of his issue.. a bit like Gerard for England at times

So many gifted central midfielders around he was shunted to the wing

We started it at West Ham to fit Eduardo cisse into our midfield we shunted Cole to the wing

Whilst he was a fanstatic winger.. he was an even better CAM before they became fashionable
West Ham Fan,suddenly it becomes more clear 😂
 
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