Roy Hodgson’s patience with Joe Cole appears to be wearing thin. Following last night’s disappointing 0-0 draw with FC Utrecht, Hodgson publicly criticised the former Chelsea midfielder’s performance.
“He sets himself high standards and I’m sure he came off the field feeling it was not the performance he wanted to give,” Hodgson told reporters.
“He knows he is better than that and he knows he can do better than that,”
The England International has failed to produce the form expected of him since his Bosman transfer to Merseyside in the summer. The 29-year-old didn’t improve on his poor form yesterday evening either and struggled to make any impact on the game.
Towards the end of the Europa League tie, Cole had a chance in the area which was blocked by a defender. Hodgson suggested that luck may have effected Cole’s chance to score in the dying moments .
“Players like Joe play on very small margins. If he had struck the shot less well he would probably have scored,”
Hodgson is clearly unhappy with the team he has inherited from former boss Rafa Benitez at Anfield, during an interview a few days ago in which he was challenged about Liverpool’s form he said:
“They realise we can’t turn things around overnight and they also realise that the team I am working with is not the team I put together.”
He added, “Because, basically speaking, unless there is a major inflow of cash into the club and the team is going to be changed from one moment to the next then whoever takes my place will be doing a similar job with similar players.”
The takeover by Amnerican outfit NESV a few months ago saved Liverpool from near financial collapse. It has often been suggested that Liverpool’s poor form was due to these difficult circumstances. However, the new owners have promised to support the Reds during the transfer window and Liverpool fans will be praying that Hodgson can bring in some quality signings.
That said, the former Fulham boss may be forced to shift some dead wood from Anfield in order to begin the rebuilding process. The January window presents Liverpool with the chance to sell their players for their optimum price as struggling teams are forced to get out the chequebook to save their troubled seasons.
A variety of names have been touted as ready for the Liverpool chop, of which the majority have been Hodgson’s own summer signings. Reds fans have been disappointed with the performances of newboys, Konchesky, Poulsen and of course, Joe Cole.
It may be difficult to see the former Inter Milan coach give in on his summer outlays, but regardless of the Merseyside club’s poor form, the rejuvenation of several Benitez players such as David N’Gog and Lucas Leiva, may leave Hodgson struggling to justify any moves he makes come January.
Liverpool could find it hard to find a suitor for Cole in the new year. Given his high wage demands and inconsistency, there will be few clubs willing to take such a risk, however a loan deal may not be out of the question.
Sir Alex Ferguson recently suggested that centre-back Jonny Evans will be listed for loan in January to improve on his poor form and Hodgson may see such a move as a positive step for the former Hammers’ starlet. West Ham themselves will certainly be interested, as a product of their youth system, Cole is still highly regarded at Upton Park, however they will be prepared to face stiff competition from local clubs such as Blackburn or Wigan. Any improvement to the 29-year-old’s form will allow Hodgson to reconsider Cole for the new season, or at least increase his asking price in the summer.
New owner John Henry backed up speculation that Liverpool will be active during the January transfer market earlier this week when he said:
“We don’t quite know what the situation’s going to be in January. It’s our first transfer window and it’s something we’ve been studying day and night.”
Perhaps we will see some of Liverpool’s star heading for the exit in their mission to rebuild, or, of course, Hodgson out the door before he can make any further problematic signings. Whatever happens, be certain that Merseyside will be the place to be for the latest movements come January.
Follow Matt Visser of Twitter @Matt_V_Football
