Standing ovation please...

[LoyalRoyalFan]

... for Ashley Cole.

Best left back in the world over the last 10 years, always puts in a decent shift and has always performed admirably at the World Cup and Euros.

100 caps on Wednesday night, should be made captain for the night in my honest opinion, one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

Ignore his off the field troubles, focus on what he has achieved. Well done Ashley.

[ZacNaloen]

By what metric is he the best left back in the world?

[Royal With Cheese]

By what metric is he the best left back in the world?

Media metric. I must have heard it a dozen times today from various media experts.

[reading_fan]

Undoubtedly a good left back, but the best in the world? Not sure I agree with that.

Utterly detestable human being though

[Barry the bird boggler]

This thread is going to go down like a lead balloon

[Stooper]

Could become the first outfield player to notch 100 caps and not a single goal.

IN for the LOLZ when this classless tosspiece makes history

[soggy biscuit]

This thread is going to go down like a reserve team player shot by Ashley Cole

[Divvy]

... for Ashley Cole.

Best left back in the world over the last 10 years, always puts in a decent shift and has always performed admirably at the World Cup and Euros.

100 caps on Wednesday night, should be made captain for the night in my honest opinion, one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

Ignore his off the field troubles, focus on what he has achieved. Well done Ashley.

Nonsense has he been.

[soggy biscuit]

... for Ashley Cole.

Best left back in the world over the last 10 years, always puts in a decent shift and has always performed admirably at the World Cup and Euros.

100 caps on Wednesday night, should be made captain for the night in my honest opinion, one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

Ignore his off the field troubles, focus on what he has achieved. Well done Ashley.

Phillip Lahm pisses all over Cole.

[Mr Optimist]

... for Ashley Cole.

Best left back in the world over the last 10 years, always puts in a decent shift and has always performed admirably at the World Cup and Euros.

100 caps on Wednesday night, should be made captain for the night in my honest opinion, one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

Ignore his off the field troubles, focus on what he has achieved. Well done Ashley.

Phillip Lahm pisses all over Cole.

Get the footage to the Sun and you will make a fortune.

[Ian Royal]

... for Ashley Cole.

Best left back in the world over the last 10 years, always puts in a decent shift and has always performed admirably at the World Cup and Euros.

100 caps on Wednesday night, should be made captain for the night in my honest opinion, one of the best defenders this country has ever produced.

Ignore his off the field troubles, focus on what he has achieved. Well done Ashley.

Phillip Lahm pisses all over Cole.

This.

[Handsome Man]

Lahm's good, but he is German. Cole being best left back in the world doesn't seem too controversial to me.

I don't really understand the hate for him either.

[Big Foot]

Steve Gerrard said in the press that Ashley Cole wont be truly appreciated until he's retired and we're left harping after him. I'm inclined to agree.

He's put in some terrific performances over the years - notably keeping Ronaldo in his pocket at Euro 2904/WC 2006. Also, one of if not the only player to come back from South Africa 2010 relatively critique free.

[Stranded]

Steve Gerrard said in the press that Ashley Cole wont be truly appreciated until he's retired and we're left harping after him. I'm inclined to agree.

He's put in some terrific performances over the years - notably keeping Ronaldo in his pocket at Euro 2904/WC 2006. Also, one of if not the only player to come back from South Africa 2010 relatively critique free.

I think Baines will step in quite nicely.

[Silver Fox]

You'll have to get him to quit his sweet role in HR first

I'm sure Cole is a decent enough footballer* but he is one of the most despicable pcunts to take to the field in this age where most of the people involved in the game seem to pretty fvcking classless

*although hasn't he reached 100 caps prett much by default, with nobody really able to play LB instead?

[LWJ]

Personally agree with the OP. Cole never lets England down when those around him are falling apart.

Think most the h8 is because he shagged Cheryl and then dumped her.

[Zammo]

Personally agree with the OP. Cole never lets England down when those around him are falling apart.

Think most the h8 is because he shagged Cheryl and then dumped her.

^this. Top defender for our Country. Should be applauded tonight. What he does off the field is nothing to do with me.

[Royal With Cheese]

Personally agree with the OP. Cole never lets England down when those around him are falling apart.

Think most the h8 is because he shagged Cheryl and then dumped her.

^this. Top defender for our Country. Should be applauded tonight. What he does off the field is nothing to do with me.

Would you dump her?

[BR2]

By what metric is he the best left back in the world?

Media metric. I must have heard it a dozen times today from various media experts.

For many people the world begins and ends with England and they can never see beyond these shores.

[6ft Kerplunk]

Personally agree with the OP. Cole never lets England down when those around him are falling apart.

Think most the h8 is because he shagged Cheryl and then dumped her.

No, I admire him for shagging around behind that horrendous pcunts back. Its more his response to Arsenal not offering him more than £60K a week that makes him a utter tosshead. Excellent left back though.