Cole And Aquilani Regain Form Away From Anfield

Joe Cole was the flagship signing of the ill-fated Roy Hodgson era, and he was a Rafa signing that Hodgson inherited. For me, like Bellamy, Cole was not given chances to impress at Anfield. It was also unfortunate that he got sent off in his very first game for Liverpool against Arsenal. His Liverpool career seemed to go downhill since then. Hodgson clearly preferred a method of play that stifles any kind of flair and creativity hence Joe Cole watched as Liverpool faltered under Woy.

Alberto Aquilani was brought in (was it a rash Benitez signing?) in the hope of appeasing the Anfield faithful after the sale of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid. Then from Roma, Aquaman walked into Liverpool, still nursing an injury. It took the Italian a while to get accustomed to the pace and strength of the Premiership but at the tail end of 2009/2010, Aquilani showed glimpses of why he is nicknamed "Il Principino" with some masterful performances.

Both these players have grabbed their chance for a new start with relish. Cole and Aquilani are now mainstays with Lille and AC Milan, becoming vital cogs as the two clubs chase trophies in their respective leagues.

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Liverpool Heading In The Right Direction Under Hodgson

At the tail end of last season, Liverpool FC looked to be in free fall. Heavily in debt, American owners that nobody liked and a manager who had outstayed his time at the club. Since then, the club has at least three suitors negotiating club purchase, the elder statesman Roy Hodgson became manager, inexpensive but quality signings walked into Anfield and suddenly optimism is high among Liverpool fans.

Joe Cole was perhaps the highest profile free transfer signing of the season. The fact that he chose to join Liverpool boosted the sagging confidence of the players at the club. His experience as a Premier League winner will help a Liverpool squad short on title challenge experience. Cole will undoubtedly be the most important influence on Liverpool's 2010/2011 season.

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Lions In The Winter, Lambs In The Summer

England is so frustrating for me. Thankfully, I am not the only one feeling this way. The 25,000-strong travelling English supporters made their feelings known by booing the team off-field after the Three Lions' poor showing against Algeria.

Perhaps Michel Platini was right after all with his comment that England was like lions in the winter but lambs in the summer. England was devastating during the World Cup qualifiers, romping to victories against Croatia and the rest. Under Capello, it would seem that England  players had rediscovered the art of translating excellent club performances into international prominence. Qualification was won without breaking a sweat prompting expectations of winning the World Cup in South Africa to skyrocket. That expectation is currently crippling this England team.

Worse of all, even Fabio Capello is affected by the hope of the entire nation. All through qualifying, he had been the calmest man in the stadium. Here in South Africa, he has been very animated and the facial expressions tell him that the England team he had shaped over the last two years is now reverting to shrinking violets in the face of high-pressure competition.

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West Ham United's Class of 1999: How Successful Can They Become?

In 1999, West Ham United won the InterToto Cup beating Metz 3-2 over a two-legged tie. It marked a significant chapter in the careers of some of the younger players and the manager of West Ham at that time. They had ensured UEFA Cup football.

Then manager, Harry Redknapp had moulded an entertaining and skillful passing team with a very English mentality. In that team were four young and hungry West Ham players who would eventually be very influential in the English game.

These four players were,
1. Frank Lampard
2. Rio Ferdinand
3. Joe Cole
4. Michael Carrick

All four are now established England internationals. Between the four of them, they have won all domestic and European honours. Their skills and talents have taken them to the very peak of their football careers. The Intertoto Cup did serve as European exposure for Frank, Rio, Joe and Michael. It became their springboard to further successes with their current clubs both in England and European competitions. Can Lampard, Ferdinand, Cole and Carrick make further history by winning the World Cup for the Three Lions next year? With Don Fabio at the helm, these four former West Ham favourites have an exceptional chance to make history and soothe 44 years of English misery.

The Academy have clearly been producing great players throughout the years. These four players surely rank as some of the best that the West Ham Academy have produced over the years.