GIO OR JOE ???

Gio or Joe?

Article by Alan the librarian Pushand run.com

OK, so according to Harry, Joe Cole has gone from having 'agreed a deal with someone else' to have 'as good a chance as any' of signing for us, all in the space of a fortnight. You got to admire the way Harry uses the media like his very own Twitter account. He serves the bullshit and they eat it up like blue-a*se flies.

If this was purely a football decision, Joe should pick us over Arsenal. Don't get me wrong, I believe Arsenal have just as much, if it not more, potential to win things than we do but his former employers won the league last year. Silverware, I suspect, is not upper-most in his thinking. He says he wants to be loved, he wants to play regularly. He'll get that with Harry and spurs. Arsene and Arsenal probably like the idea they can get something for nothing, as cover for another injury-prone player like Rosicky or Nasri. Perhaps even to fill the homegrown qouta. I don't know. Time will tell, and although the media have hyped this transfer as a 'battle' between the two north london clubs, when thinking objectively, the loser will probably not lose too much sleep.

As I said, spurs would get more from signing him but we are not without our own alternatives either. We have the two Croats in Luka and Niko and the World Cup has also put Mexican back on the menu.

Giovanni Dos Santos looks a top player. Great passing ability, lovely movement and bursting with energy. As usual he's also coming out with the right things, claiming he wants to go back to spurs and fight for his place. Last season, he even had his parents apologise on his behalf for his lack of effort. Bless him.

I am not convinced. He's always played well for Mexico and he always says the right things. What happens behind the scenes at club level appears a different story. Often getting into training late or not appearing at all. Dashing back to Barcelona at any given opportunity. Many say he just needs a chance but I feel, like with Pav, you have to earn it in training first.

I am sure Gio, in sporadic burst, would be great in a successful, free flowing side and most of last season we were exactly that. However, when we experience dip in form or the weather gets cold and we are playing Newcastle or Blackburn away, would I want Gio in the side? I have to say no. Would I want him in the dressing room? Not really. Joe Cole can be relied upon (when fit). He lives for football. Gio, in my opinion, lives off the back of its fame.

IF he can change then great. He is just as talented than Cole and he's also younger and cheaper (wage-wise) but that's a big if and it appears Harry's made his mind up on that.

Gio me Too

Its a hard one, because Gio struggled in the Prem, but he is still young an learning. Overall, i would need to go with experience, so its Joe for me, but then again, why not both??

joe

I'd have both and use Cole as a central midfielder instead of isolating him out on the wings.

I reckon Harry can work a deal with him where he gets a big signing on fee, as he's on a free, then his wages would end up in line with the rest of the team. I also feel that he'd be a positive influence in the changing room because his work ethic is excellent.

Bring in Cole, keep Dos Santos, offload Jenas and Bentley and we'd have improved our midfield without paying too far over the odds, we may even reduce our wage bill somewhat.