Are Carlton Coles Days Numbered?

It is rumoured in the papers today that Gollivan are eyeing up attacking reinforcements for The Hammers; here are just some of the strikers we are apparently being linked with, don’t laugh…                                       
Eidur Gudjohnsen
Benni McCarthy
James Beattie
Dick Mar van Nostril Boy
Robbie Keane

Who they are is not really the point here, but rather is it a realistic possibility that Gollivan are going to bring in 2 additional front men before the window closes? If they are then that little scenario gives rise to the meaning of my headline and would be possible concern or curtains for Cole.

Let’s make this clear from the outset – I am not a great lover of Cole never have been never will be - if he was any good he’d still be at Chelsea imho (same with Frank Nouble for that matter too - but that's a whole different debate) and the recent paper talk of Liverpool & Arsenal wanting him (CC) was just laughable, and what was the money being touted for him, 20 million? ROFL.  No other sensible offers for him yet in this window just goes to show what other premiership managers think of him; the offers are conspicuious by their absence.


He has some ok points but those are far outweighed by his glaring inability as a premiership goal scorer - remember that brilliant 'forward' slotted ball through to Thefoe (see picture) oh dear!!! Thought he was playing for England, I'm sure he did, slotting through to his 'team mate" on international duty whoops

When Marlon Harewood, Bobby Zamora and the now unfortunately ill-fated but brilliant Dean Ashton were in the squad Carlton was little more than cannon fodder - a bench warmer first class. It was only on a needs must basis that he found himself in the starting line-up at all, very much a case of no one else so in he goes. In those early days of his career as 'top-dog' he was continually booed by the West Ham faithful and often, whilst I was at our home matches (S/T holder), I would hear him called the Dagenham donkey on very many occasions.

No doubt he has improved under Zola for sure, but let’s face it he had to because there was no other direction for his 'ability' to go but up since his ‘skill’ as a striker was so blatantly obviously poor more down would have been subterranean; he also had growing up a little on his side too – he had to get better with age surely, didn’t he? But if you are completely useless and then improve beyond recognition, all to the good, is it not possible you are still not good enough because you were so bad to start with? I truly believe that this is the case with Carlton


Remember also that our now dearly beloved, can't do with out him Carlton is very much a confidence player, being two behind in the starting stakes will not do his self-belief any good whatsoever especially if Gollivan's pair hit the ground running - wait a minute there's that slippery slide back to his Chelsea days again. Will Gollivan tolerate him in bad form - on his wages n'all?

If Gollivan really do bring in two strikers and they are anywhere near the calibre of the little short list above, I think that once again Cole will be found out and found wanting. I believe he will find himself once more the third choice striker option. New hit-men on board he may find - during a few of our remaining games - he could discover he does not even have a place on the bench, depending on what tactics Zola/Clarke choose to adopt and should there be a greater need for a more attacking mid-field set up or a player who is more versatile, or one that has a greater work-rate. Let's face it CC is rather limited in his abilities - but he does hold the ball up well