Bale or Cole

[Boabski]

whats your pick.
i think Bale is more a midfielder than a left back.
Paul Merson last night said that Ashley cole was a better player, i am not so sure, What do you think?

 

[richart]

Cole is a much better defender, and Bale is a better midfielder. Difficult to compare when they play in different positions. I remember when Bale played left back, and his positional sense was dire, and he was dropped.

 

[Robobum]

Apples and oranges.

Cole is arguably the best left back in the world at the moment.

Bale is arguably the best left sided midfield player in the world at the moment.

 

[Aztecs27]

Yea, just a shame Bale's Welsh. Would be nice to have Cole and Bale on our left side for England!

 

[freddielong]

The thing I dont understand is why Bale chooses to play in full planet of the apes make up

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Cole is arguably the best left back in the world at the moment.

Bale is arguably the best left sided midfield player in the world at the moment.

Sums it up just about perfectly IMO. As a Chelsea fan, wouldn't swap Cole for any other left back. Would love to have Bale in front of him, but more than happy with Malouda (scoring for fun) or Yuri Zhirkov as our two attacking players in front of Cole.

 

[Tiger]

I'd have Bale simply because he is younger. As for a Bale/Cole partnership on England's left flank...it makes me want to weep...it's like Ryan Giggs all over again!!!!!!

 

[toonarmy]

Both, given that they are LB and LM respectively - even though one is an utterly detestable human being and still not fit to lace Psycho's boots.

 

[Aztecs27]

Both, given that they are LB and LM respectively - even though one is an utterly detestable human being and still not fit to lace Psycho's boots.

Cant' say I disagree with that.

 

[Robobum]

Ashley Cole is a far better player than Stuart Pearce ever was. Pearce was towards the end of a dying breed of player (Keown/ Adams etc) and would be lost in today's game.

Again, it's comparing different types of players, although they are both apples in this case. Technically, Cole makes Pearce look like he should stuck to playing @ Wealdstone. But then you know which one to choose if you want to smash someone into row z.

 

[USER1999]

Neither. Cole, enough said, Bale, two good games and he's the next best thing. Heck, my cat could look good playing for Sp*rs.

 

[Yidio]

Neither. Cole, enough said, Bale, two good games and he's the next best thing. Heck, my cat could look good playing for Sp*rs.

I hope,from a gooner,this is sarcasm. If not,oh dear.

2 good games? Bale has terrorised near enough every right back he's come up against in the past year. What he done to Maicon,regarded the best right back around over the 2 legs against Inter,was ridiculous. But,as i say,he's been doing that for months.

If your cat is a goalkeeper,forward his details onto Wenger. You may well make a nice little wedge as his agent.

 

[USER1999]

He's very versatile.

 

[toonarmy]

Ashley Cole is a far better player than Stuart Pearce ever was. Pearce was towards the end of a dying breed of player (Keown/ Adams etc) and would be lost in today's game.
Technically, Cole makes Pearce look like he should stuck to playing @ Wealdstone. But then you know which one to choose if you want to smash someone into row z.

Utter pish.

To dismiss Pearce as a clogger and hacker shows a remarkable lack of observation. You're either too young to remember him or just having a memory lapse and buying into the nonsense that Cole is some amazing player. Cole has the positional sense of a drunk octogenarian trying to reverse park and makes up for this with pace.

Pearce was a better crosser, shooter, free-kick taker, header, tackler and defender. Cole is quicker. That is all.

 

[Robobum]

All your posts sound so angry, lighten up, these are only opinions.

If Pearce was as good as you say, it's a bit strange that whilst he was in his prime he wasn't picked up by one of the clubs challenging for titles? A relegation thrown in there too, then signs for "lesser" teams back in the Prem.

Unfortunately, I'm more than old enough to remember Stuart Pearce, I've even played against him twice in pre season whilst he was @ Forest. Powerful, intimidating, direct..yes. Technically gifted..no chance.

 

[Aztecs27]

All your posts sound so angry, lighten up, these are only opinions.

If Pearce was as good as you say, it's a bit strange that whilst he was in his prime he wasn't picked up by one of the clubs challenging for titles? A relegation thrown in there too, then signs for "lesser" teams back in the Prem.

Sorry, but this isn't really valid.

Whilst he was in his prime he played for a very good Nottingham Forest side who were always in the running for the title until they were relegated.

He made the decision to stay loyal to Forest (a concept lost in today's game) when they were relegated and vowed to get them back into the Premier League. And if it weren't for his winning header against Peterborough (if I recall correctly), we might not have gained automatic promotion back up to the premier league.

By the time he left forest he was already 35, so was already past his prime. But the reason he "wasn't picked up by one of the clubs challenging for the titles" in his prime was because he was at that club before they were relegated (Forest were a top 10 team every season until 1993 when they were relegated after he arrived in 1985).

Ashley cole might be quicker and better with the ball at his feet but as the Toon fan said, Psycho was a better crosser, free kick taker, tackler etc..etc.. And unlike Ashley Cole, he's not an utter bellend.

 

[Hendy]

Cole crossing is shocking his pace helps him out big time.. Without it I am not sure he be still classed as a truely great LB..

Bale puts a nice ball into the box and also has th skill to beat a man.. Cole does not have the same skill level..

I am a chelsea fan and if a deal came up for a swap plus cash from us for Bale I would take it.

Question is if spurs dont get back to champ league football next season and a big offer comes in for Bale do you think he/the club will turn it down???

 

[Robobum]

[.. And unlike Ashley Cole, he's not an utter bellend.

And there is the reason why Cole is judged differently by fans.

When were Forest (with Pearce) ever in the running for the title?? I think the closest they ever got was 3rd, just the 17 points off Liverpool?? That's like saying Man City pushed Chelsea all the way last year.

 

[Aztecs27]

[.. And unlike Ashley Cole, he's not an utter bellend.

And there is the reason why Cole is judged differently by fans.

When were Forest (with Pearce) ever in the running for the title?? I think the closest they ever got was 3rd, just the 17 points off Liverpool?? That's like saying Man City pushed Chelsea all the way last year.

They never ran *really* close, but back then it wasn't a 2 (arguably 3 at a push) horse race like it is these days. Top flight football was actually exciting to watch. It's not like they were always struggling to stay up in the top flight, they were always in the top ten and were in a position to make a push (they just never quite got there). Probably why he stayed with them. Forest were () a very good club. And still the only team to ever win back to back European titles. (Had to slip that in there )

What I'm saying is your argument doesn't stand because he was (apparently) approached by other clubs back in his day, but decided to stay loyal to Forest who were, at the time, a strong football club.

 

[CrapHacker]

[.. And unlike Ashley Cole, he's not an utter bellend.

And there is the reason why Cole is judged differently by fans.

When were Forest (with Pearce) ever in the running for the title?? I think the closest they ever got was 3rd, just the 17 points off Liverpool?? That's like saying Man City pushed Chelsea all the way last year.

Ah but football was different then.

And the better for it. I'm not even going to bother expanding on that, it's unarguable imo.

Personally I'd feel more comfortable relying on Pearce rather than on Cole. Cole might ( or might not ) have more relevant talent. (( Question - Is the ability for a defender to tackle more important than his ability to pass ?))

But talent alone never won anything.

Character is every bit as important. And I'd back Phsyco's character over Cole's every day.