AMONGST the vast array of ex players and journalists who make up most modern pundits, few could be more ‘pro’ West Ham United than the Hammers’ former favourite son Joe Cole.
Indeed, who can forget the Hammers’ European exploits televised with the ‘Cole Brothers’ – Carlton and Joe – analysing and entertaining during most of West Ham’s three years’ worth of cup runs on BT Sport’s Thursday night televised games. Happy days.
Joe – whilst he left Upton Park bound for Chelsea – came back to West Ham again at the end of his career and has a special place in most West Ham fans’ hearts.
Sentimentality has played no part in Joe Cole’s forecast for the FA Cup outcome though.
Speaking to metro.co.uk, the former England midfielder has made his own opinions pretty clear:
“Ex-England and Chelsea star Joe Cole says he has a ‘sneaky feeling’ Manchester City will go all the way in this year’s FA Cup to lift the trophy for an eighth time….
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“Ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, Joe Hart, Glenn Hoddle and Cole sat down with TNT Sport’s Darren Fletcher to discuss their thoughts after a rollercoaster few months in English football’s most famous competition.
‘I’ve just got a sneaky feeling for Joe Hart’s mob [Manchester City],’ former Chelsea, Liverpool and West Ham winger Cole said.”
Mind you, I’ll bet all the pundits said the same thing last year as Crystal Palace shocked everyone by upsetting the odds and beating Manchester City 1 – 0 in a memorable Wembley final.
Palace, you’ll recall, overcame Premier League opposition twice in the latter stages – Fulham in the quarter finals and Aston Villa in the semis.
Food for thought, isn’t it.