The Daily Express recently ran a bizarre story centring on Joe Cole’s dreadful debut season at Liverpool. The English midfielder has been an unprecedented flop throughout his first season at the club and his failings have led to most fans calling for his head. What’s more, it’s unlikely that Cole’s excuse for his poor form will do much to get himself back into Liverpool fan’s good graces.
According to the Express, Cole blames his poor form on a lack of sleep. I for one, am not sure exactly how much water this excuse holds. The problems are said to arise from his having to attend to the needs of his young baby, Ruby who is said to keep Cole and his wife Carly up at irregular hours.
But if it’s the needs of a newborn baby that is keeping Cole up at night, why does the article later go on to suggest that he has been to see a ‘sleep guru’, in an attempt to solve his problem? This raises a few questions: do sleep gurus really exist and if so, why? Furthermore, why would Cole need to visit a sleep guru if he’s only losing sleep because he needs to look after a young baby?
In this case, the problem is clear and it’s not one that can be solved by natural means. He needs to be available and attentive to the needs of his daughter and thus it’s no good learning to enter a state of ‘deep sleep’ or any such nonsense.
A fully fit and in form Joe Cole would be a great asset to Liverpool, but it’s questionable whether he’ll ever get back to his best and it’s disappointing that he feels the need to make these kind of excuses. I respect that he’s putting in a shift at home as well as on the training ground, but the life of a footballer is hardly the most stressful job. I’m sure there’s time for him to fit in a nap every now and then whilst his wife looks after his baby.
Given his £90k weekly wage, I’d say he owes it to Liverpool to keep fit and do his best to make sure he’s on form. That means altering his schedule to make sure he’s getting a decent amount of sleep.
As things stand, if he wants to stay at Liverpool, I can’t help but feel that he should accept a large pay cut, stop making excuses and start doing his talking on the pitch. Otherwise it may well be time to move on.
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Perhaps there is an element of truth in this, if
Joe Cole is serious about proving himself he should
offer to play for half his wages or pay as you play.
This would show his desire and commitment to getting back to his best. YNWA
i hope he gets another season to prove himself. hes one of the best wen hes on form
It goes to show how much foresight Carlo Ancelotti has in respect of Cole as a footballer. Wish I could say the same about Rafa and Hodgson who thought they had a gem in a has-been like Cole.
well not much of an excuse i think. when having a child and they are bad night sleepers u have to work around when they sleep. i mean he would only have to run around a pitch for 90minutes a week (+ some training) not as bad as working 50+hrs a week with a new born??