By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions. We in turn value your personal details in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
There has been some speculation about this, but I think for the 3rd game now he has come off in the 60th minute and clearly must be playing with injections.
2nd half yesterday it was really noticeable you could see in his running gait and jumping from about minute 50 on that he is carrying and putting more weight on the other leg.
Really not sure who this is benefiting. Granted yesterday his best game since returning but we can play Morrison there, and have a fully fit Cook for the last few games
The Manager wants him out there for a variety of reasons, generally he benefits the team imho, he is an experienced asset. Perhaps, he needs to play to fully resolve the issue that he may have.
The way he was limping after the game, I think he's played his last game this season and probably his last game for the club. Can't see him being offered a new deal.
Nobody can question his heart but he came back way too soon from that injury to help our cause and thats to be admired.Plus he is our top scorer in the last 2 games dont forget that little nuggett . I would bring him back for experience alone plus he is like a manager on the field IMO
Id sign him up. We can't afford to let everyone go, you have to have some continuity. A complete rebuild in the summer is hugely risky, and more likely than not would lead to disaster.
At the tail end of last season, Cook was immense for us. The received wisdom on senior players is that they offer intangible benefits to the side based on experience and I think that has been clear for all to see in Cook's case.
The risk, however, is how you balance the benefits of wisdom against mitigating the physical decline of the player. Boxing has the phrase 'he got old in the ring' for when a champ, still a big draw with a great record, goes up against a challenger who basically retires him when his body just can't keep up. I don't want to see the footballing equivalent here with Steve Cook. He can still talk a good fight but I think we need to let him go before he becomes a shadow of his previous self.
I actually think he'll become a really good coach if he decides to stay in football. He gets the best out of those around him and I'd love him to be able to pass on that solid professional knowledge to the next generation.
[Post edited 16 Mar 14:27]
'What do we want? We don't know! When do we want it? Now!'
Marti loves Cook (gotta be careful with spelling that), I would be surprised if he was not offered a new contract. Especially as he's scoring goals as well now.
Anderson, Colback, and possibly Fox are not going to be renewed (unless the option is on their side). These three are probably out, with Dunne and Paal leaving on their own accord, especially Paal now that Dale has signed.
Let's say Saito does not sign, and the other loans go back. This leaves us with backup in positions as so:
We have Santos and EDB, but it's clear Mari wants them out. Possibly even Madsen too.
This means, at the very least, we need an RB to replace Dunne, a CD, as all of them always get injured, it seems, and one that can play RB is needed as well.
Maybe Tuck can come in for the middle, but that's a stretch. So, we need another midfielder, Hayden on a free and cheaper wages as his contract runs out? Smyth or Dembele can play right side, which allows Morgan to come in if either of them are out, so that's not so bad with Smyth.
So, the bare minimum we need next season: RB CD DMC
And that's if we keep Cook. If Dunne goes, we probably need two RBs next season. As three will go out, this is not that bad.
If Fox stays on low wages, then it could be a good deal. And if we sign Saito, that helps as well. But then that is two out and 5 in.
What we really need after an RB is a strong backup for Frey. Without him, we struggle bigtime, and it seems that the others cannot step up to the Champ level. Celar as we know is that not that player. You need a hold up player at this level. We used to have two with Furlong and Gallen.
We know you at least need one as an out if passing around through a press is not working. Selling Dyke was the correct move, his goals stats were going down, and he was getting old. What we got for him was amazingly lucky. If you look at Dykes stats of 6 goals this season, it looks not that bad ... but breaking them down 1 was with us, 2 in the EFL trophy (one of which came against Fulham U21), and two in the FA Cup. In L1, despite playing for the best team, he's only got 1. Of course, it's against Wrexham to ensure he keeps playing. But really, that's a drek return for a so-called Champ forward. Really poor. Even Celar has two in the league, and he's been injured for most of the season.
We gonna need another forward yet again as we go into the season. They don't have to be awesome, just decent so, as backup for Frey.
Don't agree at all. I had the same injury (as a non football player) and it's hideous. Took me 6 months to recover but it was eventually okay. Up until the injury he was by far our best and fittest player. He has been rushed back, granted and I think we probably should have played Morrison but how fit is Morrison really after quite a major op. Cook has played through the pain but it's well known that he is the fittest athlete in the club so I don't agree he's finished. Does he need a break, yes. If we'd been 5-6 points better off I think he would have been given it.
Marti loves Cook (gotta be careful with spelling that), I would be surprised if he was not offered a new contract. Especially as he's scoring goals as well now.
Anderson, Colback, and possibly Fox are not going to be renewed (unless the option is on their side). These three are probably out, with Dunne and Paal leaving on their own accord, especially Paal now that Dale has signed.
Let's say Saito does not sign, and the other loans go back. This leaves us with backup in positions as so:
We have Santos and EDB, but it's clear Mari wants them out. Possibly even Madsen too.
This means, at the very least, we need an RB to replace Dunne, a CD, as all of them always get injured, it seems, and one that can play RB is needed as well.
Maybe Tuck can come in for the middle, but that's a stretch. So, we need another midfielder, Hayden on a free and cheaper wages as his contract runs out? Smyth or Dembele can play right side, which allows Morgan to come in if either of them are out, so that's not so bad with Smyth.
So, the bare minimum we need next season: RB CD DMC
And that's if we keep Cook. If Dunne goes, we probably need two RBs next season. As three will go out, this is not that bad.
If Fox stays on low wages, then it could be a good deal. And if we sign Saito, that helps as well. But then that is two out and 5 in.
What we really need after an RB is a strong backup for Frey. Without him, we struggle bigtime, and it seems that the others cannot step up to the Champ level. Celar as we know is that not that player. You need a hold up player at this level. We used to have two with Furlong and Gallen.
We know you at least need one as an out if passing around through a press is not working. Selling Dyke was the correct move, his goals stats were going down, and he was getting old. What we got for him was amazingly lucky. If you look at Dykes stats of 6 goals this season, it looks not that bad ... but breaking them down 1 was with us, 2 in the EFL trophy (one of which came against Fulham U21), and two in the FA Cup. In L1, despite playing for the best team, he's only got 1. Of course, it's against Wrexham to ensure he keeps playing. But really, that's a drek return for a so-called Champ forward. Really poor. Even Celar has two in the league, and he's been injured for most of the season.
We gonna need another forward yet again as we go into the season. They don't have to be awesome, just decent so, as backup for Frey.
I'm really resisting the complete write-off of Celar. He looked poor until the game vs Cardiff, and then afterwards seemed a different player, injury was really unfortunately timed. Massive confidence thing. Swiss league to Champ is a tough move to adapt to, and I'd like to see him given another season before we discard him as a player 'that can't step up to the Champ'.
Don't agree at all. I had the same injury (as a non football player) and it's hideous. Took me 6 months to recover but it was eventually okay. Up until the injury he was by far our best and fittest player. He has been rushed back, granted and I think we probably should have played Morrison but how fit is Morrison really after quite a major op. Cook has played through the pain but it's well known that he is the fittest athlete in the club so I don't agree he's finished. Does he need a break, yes. If we'd been 5-6 points better off I think he would have been given it.
I think there might be a difference between you taking 6 months to recover and a 34yo being able to continue to play at a high level.
His contract ends in a couple of months. He won't be offered a new one.
The Cook sitaution, more than any other one, strikes me as one that only time and genuine inside knowledge will decide.
Things we don't know yet, or may never know:
1) The exact injury (plantar fasciitis, or a tear of the plantar fascia) 2) The current pain level 3) How much training he's currently capable of - is it all just physio and rehab? has he returned to full ball training? has he returned to full contact training? 4) Given 1, 2 and 3, how affected is he by these issues, are they temporary? how likely is it that he has another year in him? 5) Even if he has another year, is that a 46+2-game season or a 30-game season? 6) If he's not a guaranteed starter, how happy would he be as a sub? 7) Does that mean, we need another captain? 8) If so, how happy would he be with not being captain? 9) Given all of the above, what's his wage for next year? What's his starting bonus? Is he happy on a wage with less starting bonuses?
and, finally, most importantly imho
10) How do we fit that player into the preferred Cifuentes team model that includes a high defensive line, or will we ever build such a team for Cifuentes?
"The opposite of love, after all, is not hate, but indifference."
I'm really resisting the complete write-off of Celar. He looked poor until the game vs Cardiff, and then afterwards seemed a different player, injury was really unfortunately timed. Massive confidence thing. Swiss league to Champ is a tough move to adapt to, and I'd like to see him given another season before we discard him as a player 'that can't step up to the Champ'.
Yup. He's a "Known-Unknown," as they say in North American sports, as are Kelman and Larkeche who will surely also be in the mix next season.
The Cook sitaution, more than any other one, strikes me as one that only time and genuine inside knowledge will decide.
Things we don't know yet, or may never know:
1) The exact injury (plantar fasciitis, or a tear of the plantar fascia) 2) The current pain level 3) How much training he's currently capable of - is it all just physio and rehab? has he returned to full ball training? has he returned to full contact training? 4) Given 1, 2 and 3, how affected is he by these issues, are they temporary? how likely is it that he has another year in him? 5) Even if he has another year, is that a 46+2-game season or a 30-game season? 6) If he's not a guaranteed starter, how happy would he be as a sub? 7) Does that mean, we need another captain? 8) If so, how happy would he be with not being captain? 9) Given all of the above, what's his wage for next year? What's his starting bonus? Is he happy on a wage with less starting bonuses?
and, finally, most importantly imho
10) How do we fit that player into the preferred Cifuentes team model that includes a high defensive line, or will we ever build such a team for Cifuentes?
He's a 34yo, with no pace, can't pass, and has picked up a serious injury. He is opposite to everything Nourry has stated the club will want going forward.
Old warhorse CBs are ten-a-penny. Cook's had a good innings with us but he's clearly well into last knocking of his playing career - it would be madness to offer him a new deal. If we do bring in a new CB or two I don't see there's any need for one to be a veteran "old head". If I'm wrong on that point it wouldn't be hard to find one with more miles left in the tank compared to Cook.
The Cook sitaution, more than any other one, strikes me as one that only time and genuine inside knowledge will decide.
Things we don't know yet, or may never know:
1) The exact injury (plantar fasciitis, or a tear of the plantar fascia) 2) The current pain level 3) How much training he's currently capable of - is it all just physio and rehab? has he returned to full ball training? has he returned to full contact training? 4) Given 1, 2 and 3, how affected is he by these issues, are they temporary? how likely is it that he has another year in him? 5) Even if he has another year, is that a 46+2-game season or a 30-game season? 6) If he's not a guaranteed starter, how happy would he be as a sub? 7) Does that mean, we need another captain? 8) If so, how happy would he be with not being captain? 9) Given all of the above, what's his wage for next year? What's his starting bonus? Is he happy on a wage with less starting bonuses?
and, finally, most importantly imho
10) How do we fit that player into the preferred Cifuentes team model that includes a high defensive line, or will we ever build such a team for Cifuentes?
Cook or no Cook. I think we should be appointing a new/different Captain next year.
Nobody can question his heart but he came back way too soon from that injury to help our cause and thats to be admired.Plus he is our top scorer in the last 2 games dont forget that little nuggett . I would bring him back for experience alone plus he is like a manager on the field IMO
Only five players have scored more than him and he hadn’t scored a goal as of about 9:15 on Tuesday night.
As for incoming players next season, we need two decent forwards to make us a much better team, the rest we can manage but you cannot manage a team without decent striker(s).
By continuing to use the site, you agree to our use of cookies and to abide by our Terms and Conditions.
