x

2014/15 Player Review Jack Cork

Jack Cork gave great service to the club and it was a shame that he left in the January transfer window.

Jack Cork was one of those players that you never fully appreciate till they are gone and the question has to be asked whether we might just have sneaked a few more points had he not gone to Swansea City in the January transfer window, perhaps it was more than co incidence that as the season Swansea came through like a train and at one stage looked like catching us.

In our great start jack Cork played a full part and our success was built on the alternative option he offered to Wanyama, the Sunderland home game can perhaps be the best example of that, when we were dominating teams Cork had the ability to move the ball on far quicker than either Morgan Schneiderlin or Wanyama and that gave us options both home and away.

He only started 5 games plus another 7 as sub before his move, however after being injured at Arsenal he was out for six weeks, missing 7 Premier League games and the cup defeat at Sheffield United.

But Jack Cork having had more than most had the raw end of the stick under Mauricio Pochettino the previous season had had enough of being a bit part player and wanted to be in a team where he would be a regular, he has certainly got that at Swansea where he has been an ever present in the starting line up.

Sadly when you are a side in Saints position at present it is hard to hold on to players, not just the top ones, but also the core players from the squad as Jack was.

Jack Cork inspired Swansea in the final half of the season, if he had stayed at St Mary's I just have the feeling that the options he had offered us might have been the difference between a couple of defeats being turned into draws and a couple of draws being turned into wins and that might have made this season just a little bit better.

What to read next:

TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Boston United
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Boston United.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Boston United
Referee STUART MORLAND will officiate at Spotland for the second time in two months when he takes charge of Saturday’s home fixture against Boston United.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Tamworth
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Tuesday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Tamworth.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Tamworth
Dale’s home game versus Tamworth on Tuesday will be refereed by the familiar figure of DARREN DRYSDALE.
Refwatch - Dagenham & Redbridge v Rochdale
Dale’s first return fixture of the season at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday will be refereed by the superbly named ALAN DALE.
Refwatch - Leamington v Rochdale - FA Trophy
Dale’s FA Trophy tie at Leamington on Saturday will be refereed by WAYNE CARTMEL.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Manchester United U21s - Daft National League Cup Thing
Dale’s second group game in the National League Cup on Tuesday against Manchester United U21 will be refereed by JOHN MULLIGAN.
Refwatch - Gateshead v Rochdale
Dale’s trip to the Gateshead International Stadium on Tuesday night will be refereed by PAUL MARSDEN.
TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Rochdale AFC’s matchday programme – The Voice of Spotland – is back for Saturday’s Vanarama National League fixture against Oldham Athletic.
Refwatch - Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Dale’s lunchtime local derby against Oldham Athletic on Saturday will be refereed by GREG ROLLASON.