Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Cole: My Liverpool Pledge

Joe Cole admits his debut campaign as a Liverpool player hasn't gone to plan so far - but revealed his determination to play an integral role as Kenny Dalglish's contingent chase success in the remainder of the season.

A red card on his Barclays Premier League bow for the Reds coupled with a series of niggling injuries have restricted the England playmaker to just 20 appearances so far in his maiden term as Anfield's No.10.

However, Cole made his first appearance under Dalglish as an early substitute for Fabio Aurelio during last week's goalless Europa League draw with Sparta Prague - and the 29-year-old has pledged to do all he can to regain the sort of form that made him one of Europe's most sought-after players in the second half of 2010-11.

He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "It was good (to play against Sparta). It was important for me to get a game under my belt as I'd only trained twice, so it was nice to come on early.

"I didn't expect that and it was good to get going again. Hopefully all the little niggles and injuries I can put behind me and I can concentrate on the end of the season.

"It's not gone how I would have liked, but that's life. Things like that happen and you've just got to push on through the difficult times. I've had plenty of good times in my career and I've had my share of difficult times, and I'll always come through.

"I'm determined to be a success here. I'm working hard every day. The main thing is the club - it's all about Liverpool.

"I'm pleased it (team's form) has turned around and we're going in the right direction, and if Liverpool can keep going there, I'd love to be part of it."

Despite enduring a testing first seven months as a Liverpool player, Cole has no regrets about deciding to uproot from London, where he had spent his entire career, and move to Merseyside.

And he maintains a belief that his hard work and endeavours at Melwood will soon pay off.

He said: "I've enjoyed moving up here and living where I am. I haven't enjoyed the football because I haven't felt as though I have done myself justice or got myself right. I have been frustrated with the injuries. But that's all going to change.

"I'll just keep going, keep training hard and it will turn the corner sooner rather than later.

"The fans and the people of Liverpool have been great with me. I've played for West Ham and Chelsea in my career and you can tell by the way I speak that I am a London boy, so when I came up here it was a shock to people. I'd had offers in London, but I wanted to come and test myself and you have to go through difficult times.

"I'm fired up, still positive and still got enough energy - I want to be a success at Liverpool and I want to be part of this club. I joined because I knew I was joining a massive club with great history.

"It still gets me excited when I go to Anfield. I haven't played there for a long time, but I just want to get out there on the pitch and play."

Since arriving on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer, Cole has seen a number of radical changes take place at Anfield.

The acquisition of the club by Fenway Sports Group in addition to the instalments of Dalglish, Steve Clarke and Damien Comolli mean today's Liverpool look very different to the one that opened the campaign back in August.

Cole is confident the changes will have the desired impact on the Reds' fortunes - but he acknowledges he's faced his own off-the-field battles since pitching up in L4.

"It's been business as usual for me, really," he said. "Trying to keep myself fit has been the battle for me this year.

"New owners, new manager, new coaches, new football director...it's a complete change.

"But I came in from a club in Chelsea where we had gone through a few managers as well over the last few years, so I am used to it.

"I think continuity is so important in football. Now we've got Kenny, Damien (Comolli) and Steve (Clarke), who are as good as you'll find at doing their jobs - their track records are proven.

"It's about continuity now. The club needs that for Liverpool to move forward and for us to progress. We need to stick together.

"I've been in successful teams and I've been in unsuccessful teams in my career. What we're doing now is the recipe for success, I 100 per cent believe that. If we keep going in the way we're going, with the structures that have been laid down we'll continue to progress and see how far as players we can take the club."

The appointment of Dalglish in January has served to inject a new lease of life into Liverpool's season.

Cole feels the methods implemented by the manager and first-team coach Clarke in training are proving successful on the pitch and admits the players are relishing playing under the tutelage of the iconic Scot.

"Obviously things have changed tactically," he said. "We've changed formation, training is a lot different and is more match-pace orientated - Steve Clarke is someone I'm used to working with from Chelsea.

"The lads are enjoying it, a weight seems to have been lifted and we seem like we're going in the right direction."

He added: "I think he (Dalglish) just wants me to get fit. I haven't got myself going - injuries and things have blighted my season, so I just need to get myself fit, get ready and get my body feeling good. I'm looking forward to the end of the season."

Cole played under high-profile managers such as Jose Mourinho, Fabio Capello and Carlo Ancelotti prior to joining Liverpool.

But what sets Dalglish apart from any of his previous gaffers?

"His man management - he likes to go around and have a chat with the lads," said Cole.

"He is very much liked and he's in to getting the lads together and building team spirit. He's good at that and he's lifted the place.

"The lads are coming in now with a smile on their face and looking forward to training, and that can only be a good thing."

Following his 53-minute run out in the Czech Republic last week, Cole is hopeful of figuring in the return meeting with Sparta at Anfield on Thursday.

Though Liverpool were held to a goalless stalemate in Prague, the winger is confident they can set up a last 16 meeting with either SC Braga or Lech Poznan.

And Cole in unequivocal in his desire to go all the way in the tournament and help the Reds clinch the Europa League in Dublin in May.

"I think we didn't do ourselves justice over in Prague," he said. "The game was there to be won, but it was a tough game on a difficult pitch.

"They were good tactically, but I feel we've got enough to go and win the game. European games are always special at Anfield and if we can stick together, pass the ball and have a good start to the game, we can make it an easier night for ourselves. I feel we've got enough to go and win the game."

Cole continued: "I play football to win. I'm not here to make up the numbers - I want to be winning trophies. The only opportunity we've really got is the Europa League now.

"It's a big trophy - it's a massive, European trophy and I'd love to lift it. The fans deserve it.

"You talk to Liverpool fans and they can reel off five Champions Leagues, three UEFA Cups, 18 leagues - and everyone knows it.

"This club is measured on the pots it brings in. Other clubs are measured on where they finish in the league and if they survive, but the standards are high at this club and I don't want to be a player who comes here and doesn't win anything.

"I want the big days - I want to go to Dublin, I want to go to Wembley - that's what I play football for."

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