Carlton Cole: would he have been a hit on the south coast?

I have been watching all the talk about Carlton Cole possibly coming to AFCB having started talks yesterday on a possible move from West Ham. While the striker has had a mixed career at the Hammers he has played many top flight games and he would be a big addition to a team like the Cherries who need that extra killer instinct at times during tight Championship games. One Hammer's blog though was saying that the deal was off last night and that was endorsed by TalkSport.

While I can see why Eddie Howe would be interested in having Carlton Cole leading the line for the Cherries. AT 6ft 3in he is a bit of a different striker to what AFCB already have. Some movement of other players would ave been required, if Callum Wilson was seen as the player who can be released from the hold up play of Cole. Eddie Howe would have had to look to play Yann Kermorgant in the number 10 position if he were to keep three strikers on the field in a starting line up. The heading ability of Cole would be something that could bring many more goals for AFCB and with the extra striker Eddie Howe would have many  more options for different opponents. The asking fee seemed to be £1m and I don't think that was a bad price for a striker with Cole's experience, but if it is not to happen the Cherries are still showing that they have the ability to move for players quickly when they fit the profile that Howe wants.    

The question I wondered was whether Carlton Cole had the ambition and fight for the Championship and could he start scoring straight away anyway? He had scored seven times in 28 appearances for the Hammers last year and probably believes he is good enough to merit a move to another Premier League club. This would have been a big name signing for AFCB, but whether Cole or Sam Allardyce changed their mind it looks like the move has broken down.

What we can say is that it seems that Eddie Howe feels that the team has to have more fire power in front of goal if it is to make the step up to the next tier and there are a few days left in the transfer window if he still wants to sign another striker.