Is Cole in the Hole, wide of the mark?

[Khalido]

Last season apart, Gerrard gave us 20+gls a season playing in that role, with possibly 10 assists to Torres, albeit with Alonso supplying the passes. We now have Meireles to hopefully help fill that void. This leaves the question of whether Joe Cole should be given that role. I'm not certain if assurances were given, but reportedly it was one of the major factors in him chosing us.

Obviously it's early days, but what I have noticed is that Cole has not shown that ability or knack to find the space to recieve the ball the way Gerrard does so well in that role. Against Arsenal he was easily closed down very quickly and snuffed out the game completely. Arsenal are not an agressively pressing team defensively, tending to allow the opposition to play a bit. Cole would expect to recieve much closer attention from the majority of other EPL teams.

This may be something that he will learn with time, we know he's a very intelligent footballer, but we do not have that with a Top 4 finish a must. We know Gerrard is great in that role and his understanding with Torres is second to none.
Cole will never give us 20gls a season, he's not the finisher Gerrard is. We lack goals if Torres is out and playing Gerrard deeper will reduce his scoring figures.

Worryingly, previous reputable managers have preferred to play Cole out wide, seemingly not trusting him with the pivotal role of central playmaker. Their teams success vindicating this decision.

I understand there are other considerations, such as Gerrard in the hole would mean one of either Lucas or Poulsen starting, resulting in a weaker central midfield.

Apologies if this topic has been discussed before, but I want to know your thoughts and where you think Cole will end up playing mostly this season, behind Torres or out wide?

 

[Squiggles]

Some pundit rightly made the point that the number 10 role is extremely difficult to play, because of the lack the time on the ball. You don't have time to think, to take a touch, to get your head up - everything has to be done instinctively.

From what I've seen of him so far from his in this role, I'm not convinced Joe has it yet. But I'm prepared to give him time if it means keeping Gerrard at CM and Lucas on the bench.

He'll be given a chance to form a relationship with Torres and Gerrard, but if he can't get himself involved enough then he'll end up back out on the flanks.

 

[spider-Neil]

in the hole you say?

*waits for the obligatory mick mccarthy gif*

 

[cobrastatus]

[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=41650.msg1165171#msg1165171 date=1283074780]
in the hole you say?

*waits for the obligatory mick mccarthy gif*
[/quote]

Where is wilco when we need him?






















jk <3

 

[spider-Neil]

[quote author=cobrastatus link=topic=41650.msg1165174#msg1165174 date=1283075001]
[quote author=spider-neil link=topic=41650.msg1165171#msg1165171 date=1283074780]
in the hole you say?

*waits for the obligatory mick mccarthy gif*
[/quote]

Where is wilco when we need him?






















jk <3
[/quote]

git 😉

 

[King Binny]

Came acrossed this article earlier today re signing of Meireles and how his joining may affect our lineup.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/7969621/Roy-Hodgson-shows-forward-thinking-by-signing-Raul-Meireles-for-10.7m.html

What Liverpool have lacked in recent years – even when the midfield axis of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso was at its destructive, creative best – is dynamism.

Moving Steven Gerrard into an advanced trequartista role behind Fernando Torres elicited the best from the England international, but came at the cost of robbing Liverpool of impetus from deep, of the thrust particularly vital in the frenetic world of the Premier League.

That is exactly what Meireles provides. First for Boavista, then for Porto and Portugal, his role has been to prompt attacks, not with the range of passing that makes Alonso such a rare gem, but with his relentless energy, his movement, his thrust. Whereas the Basque controlled space, Meireles fills it. If he can replicate the form which earned him the move, the Portuguese will bring an end to the sight of Liverpool lost in stasis.

It is too soon, of course, to suggest that a pairing of Meireles and Christian Poulsen, another new arrival, are suitable heirs for the players so long – and, judging by their new employers, rightly – proclaimed by the Kop as the best midfield in the world. As a duo, though, they possess the characteristics to thrive.

Whereas Mascherano is an attack dog of a midfield player, hunting down and ruthlessly eliminating his targets, Poulsen exists to guard, patrolling in front of the back four, positioning himself and picking off danger. The Dane will control Liverpool's shape, switch the angles of attack. He will play in the horizontal. Meireles adds a vertical element.

Despite the failed flirtation with 4-4-2 at Eastlands, Hodgson seems likely to employ his two most recent signings in the 4-2-3-1 with which the bulk of his squad are familiar. Gerrard will return to his role behind Torres, with the bustle of Dirk Kuyt or the finesse of Maxi Rodríguez on the right.

Joe Cole will, nominally, be stationed on the left, but it is an article of faith with Hodgson to allow his wide players a degree of fluidity. There will be no restrictions on the England player's freedom of movement, as there were in those days at Chelsea where he struggled to impose his authority on games. Liverpool's most naturally gifted technician ought not to be sacrificed.

-------------------Meireles----Poulsen------
Kuyt/Rodriguez------ Gerrard--------Cole
--------------------------Torres---------------

 

[manwithnoname]

That looks all right. I suppose. Although I thought there was lots of chat about Cole playing centrally and Gerrard playing in CM?

 

[kingjulian]

If that is the strategy for the rest of the season, then we need one more CM/DM it seems Lucas is the only cover...and that gives me the heebie-jeebies

 

[keniget]

Hodgson did say a few weeks back that he sees Gerrard playing more as a central midfielder. It may be that Poulsen and Lucas will just be part of the squad rotation with Cole staying in the no.10 role.

 

[acejmk]

[quote author=keniget link=topic=41650.msg1165212#msg1165212 date=1283079926]
Hodgson did say a few weeks back that he sees Gerrard playing more as a central midfielder. It may be that Poulsen and Lucas will just be part of the squad rotation with Cole staying in the no.10 role.
[/quote]


I would say this is right plus i guess it will depend on who we are playing