Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

Oops, I did it again

Fri Mar 06 09:03AM

Early Doors isn't going to mention Ashley Cole today. (Oh no, too late).

What would be the point? The boy simply doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes.

Not content with having already been exposed in public for his shameful behaviour during a puke-fuelled romp with a hairdresser 15 months ago - and the inevitable ridicule that followed - he's been up to his headline-grabbing tricks again.

His boozed-up rant (to use tabloid-speak) and subsequent arrest on charges of being drunk and disorderly came to light on Thursday morning, but this story is going to run and run. It's got legs like those of Park Ji-Sung.

So, today's papers are again full of anti-Cole fare, only this time there's photographic evidence of his drunken night out, with pictures taken moments after he 'lost it' at a photographer from The Sun who had reportedly snapped him chatting to - no surprises here - a blonde clubber.

There is Cole, in standard footballer attire of a suit jacket and jeans - along with this season's oh-so-essential accessory, handcuffs - sporting a weird smirk on his face as he gets led away by two uniformed coppers.

And tomorrow we've been promised the photo that kicked off all the fuss - of Cole engaged in some serious chatting with the girl, who was "stunning" (bet she's not) and wearing a shiny blue mini-dress and a string of white pearls (more believable).

And it gets worse (or better, depending on how cynical you are) with the news that at the time of his arrest, Cole's lovely wife Cheryl was fighting altitude sickness whilst hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro for charity.

The two appear poles apart, but Cole would do well to follow Cheryl's example. It was not so long ago she herself was in trouble with the law following a late-night altercation with a club toilet attendant. But since then she has steered clear of trouble, made some catchy tunes, showed her compassionate side on X-Factor and become almost Diana-like in terms of public affection.

Unfortunately, Cole is about as far away from turning around opinion of him as Chelsea are from catching Manchester United in the league. But that cannot come as any surprise given his apparent inability to learn from his mistakes.

- - -

ED is willing to bet Steve Bruce is a relieved man. Earlier this season, the Wigan manager claimed he'd like 'five or six' Lee Catermoles in his side.

Whilst the idea of player cloning is exciting, it seemed odd at the time that Bruce wished to replicate Cattermole of all people.

And that point of view has only been reinforced with news that the hard man may not play again for another seven weeks following his latest red card, for his lunge on Scott Parker at the weekend.

As it was his second dismissal of the season, Bruce will be without his main combatant for four games anyway, but his comeback game - scheduled for April 19 against Manchester United - may be further delayed should United beat Fulham in the FA Cup this weekend, meaning the fixture will be put back.

- - -

FOREIGN VIEW: Poor old (not fat, just larger than Cristiano) Ronaldo. The Brazilian striker has told of his fear when faced with a media scrum that ensued after his comeback match for Corinthians (see yesterday's ED).

"I was hit by two microphones and knocked by a camera on the forehead. It's difficult for me because I've only really played in Europe and there the organisation is different. When the game finished, I saw a load of people running towards me... Fortunately, the security men arrived. I'm not used to it and I was frightened."

He added: "I need to lose a little more weight so that I can be faster and decisive."

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Sometimes I feel Manchester United get too much protection and sometimes they don't get enough and Ronaldo is a specific example of that. Sometimes his arrogance is provocative - and his class as well." Arsene Wenger on Cristiano Ronaldo. The wily Frenchman clearly still knows which buttons to press to rile Alex Ferguson. Expect a retort from the United camp later on today.

COMING UP: It being Friday, there'll be plenty of team news to get through, plus blogs from Danny Murphy and Paul Parker and the latest edition of Gossip Shop.

Comments1 - 30 of 459
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From stephenaanderton on Fri Mar 06 09:08AM
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شf tor
From stephenaanderton on Fri Mar 06 09:08AM
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Vini Vidi Vici (apologies to Julius Caeser)
I have returned!
Stoke have a togh game against Everton even to get 1 point. But i'm hopeful that Hull will beat Newcastle at home.
From jongros on Fri Mar 06 09:11AM
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Stephen, what time do you get up each morning/ Or is it YOU who is really ED!?
From jongros on Fri Mar 06 09:12AM
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Drunken brawls happen all the time,whats new in that.This is in the news because of the personality involved.We expect footballers who demi-gods on the pitch to be the same off the pitch too.This just proves that footballers and celebrities are humans too and can make mistakes
From siddharthatalukder on Fri Mar 06 09:12AM
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ED,
I see from your blurb that you don't REALLy like football, but are more interested in the stupidities of people and the system.What do you think of Blatters' latest scheme of playing at least 5 homegrown players in every team - an anti EPL scheme?
From jongros on Fri Mar 06 09:16AM
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Boring article,hope its not goin to be the same for my weekend.
From sihle.dlamini on Fri Mar 06 09:18AM
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cole is a @#$% on the pitch,so he is bound to be a @#$% off it,@#$%
From jongrant2005 on Fri Mar 06 09:18AM
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#5
There are many footballers who look after themselves as athletes do and to make sure they don't over-indulge. This Cole guy is therefore a drunken stupid idiot and not a good footballer at that - just a self seeking publicist!!!
From jongros on Fri Mar 06 09:19AM
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hmmm..seems like ED had nothing to write about so had to pick on poor Cole(he only earns 55k per week)...
From abhishek_reddy2001 on Fri Mar 06 09:20AM
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I was too busy to gloat yesterday, Ireland was brilliant yet again what a season he is having. We might have done Aston Villa a favour, them trying to get in the CL is like a featherweight hoping to qualify for a heavyweight fight. They'll only get hurt and embarrassed.
From chappy.choo on Fri Mar 06 09:20AM
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Molto busy at work today, so got to go guys. See you from time to time. Happy ED'ing!
From jongros on Fri Mar 06 09:21AM
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cant wait for parkers pearls of wisdom
From d.foord.tech on Fri Mar 06 09:27AM
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Hey Chappy. I told the Villa fans that Ireland would sacore before the game. Fair enough, he didn't. Did everything but tho. Your player of the season?
From danny_saks on Fri Mar 06 09:28AM
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Lets
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:29AM
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get
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:29AM
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to
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:29AM
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Page 2
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:29AM
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Ashley cole caught out on the pull again, drunken assults and aggresive behaviour..couldn't have happened to a nicer guy....at least he an gerrard will have something to chat about when cappellpo drops them both out of the england set up....pair of turkeys!
From stuartxland on Fri Mar 06 09:30AM
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Because
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:30AM
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its
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:30AM
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One of Arsenal's better deals selling Asshley Cole. A sad mantra can be recited - Best, Gascoigne, Cole.
From james_ssmith on Fri Mar 06 09:30AM
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Broken
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:30AM
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jongros are you for real? I laughed at each on of your posts
From lindsay.morris1 on Fri Mar 06 09:31AM
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Cheryl’s Ashley is sorry, and h e’s gonna get fined 2 weeks wages, so Cheryl will need to support him aaaaahhhhhh!! Taylor called me ugly so I hit him with my handbag says Ronaldo - boo hoo!!! He he he
From stephenaanderton on Fri Mar 06 09:32AM
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Sorry but my first 5 posts didnt get through perhaps the messages from loved ones this morning on the climb were code to Cheryl - dont look in the papers
From annieh97 on Fri Mar 06 09:33AM
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Danny I might be biased being a City fan but I think so, he's starting to get the credit he deserves. Players like Gerrard, Ronaldo, Lampard, and Fabragas get all the hype even if their performance is average for long periods during a season. Hopefully this is not his peak yet.
From chappy.choo on Fri Mar 06 09:35AM
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Soory Annie, All I have in my head now is 'Lets...... Get..... Ready...to.....Rhumble.......!' And so I am!
From danny_saks on Fri Mar 06 09:36AM
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Cheryl’s Ashley is sorry, and he’s gonna get fined 2 weeks wages, so Cheryl will need to support him aaaaahh!! Taylor called me ugly so I hit him with my handbag says Ronaldo - boo hoo!!! He he he
From stephenaanderton on Fri Mar 06 09:37AM
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Lindsay - dont encourage him!! - only joking jon!!
From stephenaanderton on Fri Mar 06 09:37AM
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