As a Southend United striker, Stan Collymore would habitually drop back to collect the ball on the halfway line and run straight for goal, evading two or three challenges before unleashing a powerful shot. Now and again, a player emerges in the lower divisions who is superior to those around him and, on this evidence, Lee Cook is the latest example.
The recent revelation that Manchester United were interested in the Queens Park Rangers winger was a surprise if only because, at 24, he is neither a promising teenager nor an international player, the two categories of player to which the leading clubs usually restrict themselves in the transfer market.
An Englishman capped at neither senior nor under-21 level, Cook arrived at Loftus Road on a free transfer from Watford two years ago. Initially, he did not stand out, but he appears to have stepped up a level and his nine assists this season are the most in the Championship.
He would have added two or three more against Coventry City had his team-mates finished off his fine approach work. Able to beat opponents with ease, he can pick out a pass in a tight corner and deliver accurate crosses.
According to John Gregory, the QPR manager, too much reliance on Cook spoilt the broth on Saturday. “Lee Cook was outstanding, but a lot of the players seemed to be looking at him and saying, ‘Get us out of jail, Cooky,’ ” he said.
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Cook was unable to lead QPR through the prison gates, but at least the home fans had the fix of entertainment with which they have become accustomed since Gregory took charge in mid-September. Five of the team’s previous eight matches had featured at least five goals and this open encounter would have been a sixth such occasion, but for some hesitancy in front of goal from both teams.
Gregory, whose departure from Aston Villa five years ago sparked their decline under Graham Taylor and David O’Leary, has revived fortunes at QPR. He has lifted the team from bottom of the standings to mid-table and he saw the positives of this defeat after three successive victories. “It will do us good because it will get our feet back on the ground,” he said.
Mixing with West Ham United and Fulham fans on an Underground train before the match ensured that the Coventry players had their feet on the ground. They had been forced to take the Tube because their team bus was stuck in traffic and unable to reach them, but the upheaval of arriving at Loftus Road 40 minutes before kick-off did not affect them as they made a storming start and achieved a deserved win.
“We were told that the bus was stuck in traffic, so we decided to get on the Tube,” Micky Adams, the Coventry manager, said. “We bought 23 single tickets and none of the fans could believe their eyes when they saw us. We took a bit of stick from West Ham fans and Fulham fans, but our unsung hero was Jay Tabb (a West London expert as a former Brentford player). He knew we had to change at Hammersmith and then go to Shepherd’s Bush. Everyone talks about preparation, but this proves it is a load of nonsense.”
Dele Adebola turned Zesh Rehman to score the only goal shortly after half-time to leave Cook unrewarded. However, a move to the Premiership in the January transfer window may be his long-term reward.
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Queens Park Rangers (4-4-2): S Royce — M Mancienne, Z Rehman, D Stewart, M Bignot — N Ward, J Smith, S Bailey (sub: M Rowlands, 56min), L Cook — D Blackstock (sub: R Jones, 44), M Nygaard (sub: K Gallen, 55). Substitutes not used: S Thomas, M Milanese. Booked: Ward. FORM LWWWDD NEXT Sunderland (h)
Coventry City (4-4-2): A Marshall — R Duffy, R Page, E Ward, M Hall — C Cameron, M Doyle, C Clarke, D Currie (sub: K Kyle, 84) — D Adebola, L McKenzie. Substitutes not used: R Gonzalez-Robles, C Birchall, M Bischoff, J Tabb. Booked: Duffy, Hall, Kyle. FORM WWLLLW
NEXT Preston North End (a)