Cole spent the game in the big centre half’s pocket. It happens sometimes so I’m not criticising him for it. Personally I’d have swapped him for Cosgrove to give them more of a problem.
Problem was their Centre half often had more of Cole’s shirt than Cole did. Lost count number of times Cole’s shirt was pulled almost over his shoulders. Shame he’s not a little more physical at times, but if it’s not in your locker you can’t use it. Worked his socks off and if he’d managed to get on the end of that cross in the first half when he slid in a failed to make contact by a whisker some posts in this thread would not exist, perhaps apart from 2
Maybe he kept Cole on for his pace try soak up pressure and hit them on the counted but we were far too deep. Cosgrove would have been the better lone striker hold the ball up and bring others into play.
I've no idea if Cole and Collins are in a relationship but I would have thought the fact he's the league's top scorer with 17 goals might have a bearing on how often he plays.
I don't think the Cotter sub was weird really, Bolton had put on half a team of fresh legs by the 79th minute and we needed to match them for energy , Phillips had grafted for 84 mins in a particularly high tempo game, and tbh there really wasn't much left on the bench to put on, McCart, Russell and Cotter... OK Cosgrove.. but he's more of being a straight swap for Cole than grafting in defence/midfield areas.
Yes, on a couple of occasions Cole got in great positions for a pass to score, but didn't receive it. Early in the second half McAtee had the ball near the bye line at the Ponty End with Cole in a perfect position for a pull-back where he'd most likely have scored, but McAtee fluffed it, trying to beat the keeper at the near post.
I’m sorry but you either must be blind or know the square root of F all to have a go at Cole for last night. 90% of the balls he got were belted up to his head, down the throat of their huge CB. That’s not his game. He tracked down and ran the channel and was gassed by the end. We also were way to deep meaning he had acres to track in the second half. The few times he did get it, he had 3 Bolton players around him. He should have been off for Cosgrove after 70, but that’s not his fault. I do wonder about some reds fans.
You would think we might have considered not smashing it down that number 5’a throat after a while, maybe…..
We seem to have done OK so far without him , We lost one in around 20 games. Too many negative ninnies on here ,it was a must not lose game. We scored 2 and draw against the most horrible physical team in the league. Well done lads ,restart again Saturday.
Just my opinions We have a player out on loan called Styles. Who has one eye on his international call ups. and a permanent move. Affecting his game. (Still only 23) We have a player Called Cole. Who has an eye on his international call ups. We have a player called Kane. 1 booking away from a 2 match ban. Who yet again pulled out of a tackle last night. It still is a threat till after the Carlisle game then resets to a 3 game ban if he reaches 15 bookings b4 the end of the season. Which could affect play off games. (10 games since he was last booked. Standing on 9. Which says to me he is more controlled. But maybe less physical.) All will be mindful of that, and it may affect their game. Which I understand. I also think Cole also has been committed fully this season. So an off game is forgivable. But I don't think he was as bad as some seem to think last night. He looked a little jaded at worst.
Omg, all the Team played with 100% commitment he was the only player not putting a shift in. He never applied any pressure up front when they had the ball
Maybe it's because he does put 100% in nearly every performance. It takes its toll. Only player (alongside Jordan Williams) to play every league game this season. On average 85 mins per game. Obvious choice as a starter. And last night wasn't a game to rest him.