Our only win in the last 5 games at Carlisle was with starting Cosgrove and Mcatee, both linked up well that night. You have to factor in the level of opposition, and we started poorly, but arguably Cosgrove's best game for us, held it up well and we looked much more linked up that night as a unit. I don't want to hammer Cole he's been great for us, and this post isn't just making him the scapegoat, collectively we've been ***t but his workrate has dropped off considerably of late, its hard to tell with body language with Devante as he can look cheesed off when he scores. You could forgive him for burnout but we hadn't played for a fortnight, his touch was poor yesterday, his press wasn't anywhere to be seen and just generally looked a shadow of the player pre xmas, creating stuff, running at defenders and generally putting himself about. For me it's time to bench him for a few games, weather that would make him sulk or reignite him I don't know, but for the good of the team Cosgrove needs backing for a few games to see if we can get a win and some confidence back.
His early season form has gone to his head, decent league 1 player, out of contract & the hopes of getting one last big move in the summer has clearly gone to his head.
Way out of sorts...he has been rested for a bit now, yesterday was a chance to show something, he didnt..... but I agree sub for me at the moment until he shows he has his verve back. Of course the problem is only Cozgrove is a realistic replacement and we kind of, have to play a bit different to accommodate that (high balls to him). Yet again game intelligence comes to mind and we do struggle in that department.
What confuses me is when you hear such comments as ‘he knows he’s off in the summer’, or ‘he’s had his head turned’. Possibly true. But if I were in his shoes and knowing that ‘bigger’ teams were scouting me with a view to giving me one last chance of a well paid contract before retirement, I would be giving 110% on the pitch right now. If I were the scout for, say for example Middlesbrough or Sunderland, on these last few showings his name would be crossed off my list and I would be looking elsewhere for talent and effort.
Neither him or McAtee deserve a start currently but one of them has to. Not particularly bothered which one misses out
There's a few that seem like their going through the motions I had that feeling pre xmas then changed it ,I've no idea what to make of this lot.
He’s been the same all season powder puff not in games I’ve said it since day we signed him, yes somehow he’s managed to score 17 this season although god knows how, he’s no better than Dallas or Shaw.
Give one of the younger lads a chance.Sadly Cole has gone well off the boil,we need ahunger up front,one of the youngsters might just have that thirst for it!
The booing yesterday I didn’t get (but then I’ve never booed our own players). I thought there was nothing between McAtee and Cole, both were poor. In fairness, anyone on the entire pitch couldn’t have had any complaints had they been subbed. Cosgrove has to start for me. He might not be the greatest footballer ever with the ball at his feet but he’s a nuisance and looked good in the last few games I thought.
