Thursday, December 16, 2010

Joe Cole's Stuttering Form Of Concern For Hodgson

Roy Hodgson criticized the form of midfielder Joe Cole following Liverpool's drab Europa League draw with Utrecht on Wednesday night.

Cole missed a late chance to snatch victory in a dire match at Anfield with Liverpool already guaranteed a place in the last 32 courtesy of finishing top of their group.

It summed up the stuttering season Cole is having to date since his free transfer from Liverpool in the summer with his time in the north west hampered by suspension and injury.

The former Chelsea playmaker was by no means the only Liverpool player below-par on the night, or for the season on that note, and Hodgson indicated he expected more from the 29 year-old.

"He knows he is better than that and he knows he can do better than that," he said.

"He sets himself high standards and I'm sure he came off the field feeling it was not the performance he wanted to give."

Just under 38,000 fans turned out at Anfield for a dead rubber of a match and Hodgson admitted it was disappointing his side could not produce a performance of note.

"We are all a bit disappointed by the game. It wasn't for the want of trying or that we weren't interested," he said.

"It was disappointing that with so many new people watching us, we couldn't produce a real performance for them.

"It wasn't a classic but Utrecht play really well away from home, keep the ball and cause problems."

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