TOPIC: Andy Cook

just past the 20 goal mark tonight, Barrow manager saying he's out of contract in a couple months. over 25 so no fee would be involved.

Personally i have never seen him play and dont know much about him, can anybody shed any light on what type of player he is?

1 that spent 2 years sitting on the bench at brunton park constantly loaned to barrow and reds

Never saw him play I don't think. I remember that skinny lad that got a few games, Bowman I think. But just can't recall anything of Cook.

Andy Cook is a bullish no nonsense centre forward who arrived at Carlisle in 2007 scored 22 and 37 goals in his first two seasons at Carlisle for the youth and reserve teams and was awarded with a full time contract for his efforts.

2009-10 He was shipped out to barrow scoring twice in 3 app on a months loan, then returned for a second loan but broke his foot ruling him out for the season.

2010-11 After impressing with goals in pre season for Carlisle he was again shipped out to barrow making the move permanent in January used mainly as a sub for the remainder of the season.

2011-12 He became a first team regular for barrow scoring 17 goals in 39 app.

2012-13 Signed 2 year deal with Grimsby scoring 16 gls in his first season.

2013-14 Used mainly as a sub making 17 league app scoring 3 gls for the season and was released at the end of his contract.

2014-15 He returned to barrow on a two year deal scoring 23 league gls in his first season back at the club.

2015-16 He has already passed the twenty gls mark for this season with 5 games left to play.

I took an interest in him after his first season and in my opinion he should never have been released but I think a clash of personalities with good old Greg Abbott closed the deal after Abbott claimed although an out and out goalscorer he didn't do enough around the rest of the park to warrant a chance ( like many top goal scorers are known for their defensive ability) . I would love to see him back but don't think it will happen.
Now you know all about him

Gannadan wrote:
He was shipped out because he turned up overweight and unfit for pre-season training in that 2010-11 season having been given a second chance after his broken foot - he was struggling to keep up with Caig in the warm-ups!

Good goalscorer at that level, but the few times I've seen him I'd suggest he's probably not up to league standard.

Fair point, but could he be brought up to league standard now he's matured a bit ? Many players struggle with weight or fitness problems but it doesn't always stop them scoring goals grant Holt being a reasonable example rather than mention Gazza, Maradona or lest we not forget Sumo Mick Quinn for Coventry back in the day who described himself the fastest man in football over a yard, either way I look forward to following his progress next season to find out as I think someone will take a chance on him given his habit of scoring albeit in a lower level. Ssshh... Nobody mention CMW as that would rubbish my point.

We all know how KC loves a slightly overweight forward who struggles a bit in training.

Was' nt it good old Greg who paid 100 grand to sign that feckin waste of breath Richard Offiong, So much for his footy knowledge probably be able to write it on the back of a postage stamp.....

Followed him up from youth team. He's a natural goal scorer, whether he is good enough to step up to league level is questionable but then again Holt took a long time to make his mark so you never can tell.

At the time we were probably correct to release Cook. Having seen him at youth level quite a lot and friendlies etc. he was nowhere near league standard at the time. He basically scored a lot of goals at youth level because he was a massive lump and bullied the youth players, who were typically a lot smaller than him. His touch was very poor at the time.... the one big quality he had was that he was always in the right place at the right time. It is great to see that he has developed as a player and is now getting closer to league standard. He must be taking his training and fitness much more seriously now so fair play to him. We were right to release him as he was nowhere near ready... but we should be looking at him again now to review whether he has what it takes, seeing as he would be free.

One time I saw him play he scored in a pre season friendly away at Falkirk. He looked good that night. Is he really being touted as a possible signing? Old to make the step up now

Same age as Jamie Vardy when he started playing league football, now look where he is. If you're good enough, what does it matter how old you are? Not suggesting he is anywhere near the quality of Vardy, I've never seen Cook play, just using the age as an example.

People saying not up to league standard on here. There really isn't much in difference in quality between league 2 and conference so it's a poor argument.

Cook was without doubt the best goalscorer I ever saw playing for our youth team. Better than Lee Peacock, Gary Madine or anyone else. Headers, free kicks, 25 yard blooters, tap-ins, penalties, the lot.

As northumbrian said, at youth level he could bully his opponents but for whatever reason he didn't hack it at senior level for us. Good luck to him.

Gannadan wrote:
Can you clash personalities with someone who doesn't have a personality?

Dazzyblue wrote: Yes there is... that's why a terrible Cheltenham team are top of the conference. There are 6 or 7 teams in the conference that could be classed as on a par with L2... but the majority are a lower standard. Just like when we were in the conference.

Northumbrian wrote:
You could also argue against that with the likes of what happened to Stockport, Torquay, Wrexham, Grimsby, Kidderminster, Aldershot, Macclesfield and Lincoln,
And promoted teams like Fleetwood, Burton, Accrington, Crawley, Stevenage and Wycombe who have done well since getting promoted.

crunchblue wrote:
Bowman is doing well in the conference as well. at Gateshead now.

It seems on here that if you werent deemed good enough for league football at 18 then thats you for life.

Barrow manager wants to know on saturday where his future lies.

Think Barrow are gonna have a big summer transfer wise

TheLazyLewisGuy wrote:
Well we tried that with Dempsey but Cookie is holding all the cards and it seems apparent that he wants to play league football as he has stated himself, He won't be in a barrow shirt for the start of the season I shouldn't think.

There was talk of him joining a League Club where he wouldn't need to relocate. Isn't he a NE lad?

Northumbrian wrote:
You're right, it's extremely poor. A lot of discussion on football forums is whether the gulf is getting bigger. I think it is. I've watched a bit of the national league on BT this season and it's terrible. Cheltenham have been awful each and every time I've watched them and also got knocked out of the cup by Hartlepool who were absolutely terrible at the time. Forest Green and particularly tranmere have also been dreadful in the games I've seen. Tranmere being in the playoff mix says it all really based on the performances I've seen, they seem to play shit but somehow come up against pub teams that manage to be even shitter.

Teams are bouncing back quicker these days. Cheltenham straight back as champions, possibly Tranmere as well, Bristol Rovers straight back, barnet back in 2 seasons.
I know we did in a season but we were a rarity in those days. It's becoming more common now. I wouldn't be surprised to see Dagenham straight back up with Still in charge.

The gulf between L2 and conf is definitely growing. Tom Miller said earlier in the season that the gulf between the divisions was bigger than he'd thought.

CCU wrote:
Bishop Auckland originally, I really want to see if he can cut it at a higher level, although I'm quite sure it will not be at Brunton Park. I always had visions of him shooting us up the leagues when he reached the first team purely on his knack of hitting the back of the net and have kept an eye on him since he left and although at a lower level he still seems to have that knack.

Wether he's NE based or over this way, can't be many League Clubs he could join without relocating - Carlisle, Hartlepool, Morecambe and Accrington being the realistic ones?!

Billy Paynter isn't getting any younger over at pools so they may be looking to bring someone in and with no fee to pay could offer him a decent wedge, but I suppose we never know what's going on in the minds of managers till after it's happened at best. The question is will someone take a chance on him based on his goal scoring ability as we have heard enough times on the radio of scouts watching him so someone is paying attention.

Gannadan wrote:
Well hes supposedly been offered 2k a week on a 3 yr deal to stay at Barrow but Casson seems well aware that hes had an offer from a league club for a bit less money than that which doesnt involve him relocating so i.d say that really narrows it down to us and Hartlepool realistically if hes still BA based which also fits in with their move to train in Mcr making less likely he.ll re sign for them.

Could he have been one of the players Curle was meeting this week as he needs to get sorted as he has to give Casson an answer on Saturday ?

Excellent assessment of him Northumbrian. I think he's developed a lot since he left us especially technically.

Not sure if he would be a massive success but he certainly has the attributes to even on a smaller scale emulate Charlie Austin / Grant Holt

NORTHERNSOUL wrote:
I'm sure your not allowed to speak to domestic players till there's only a month left, Doubt we'd risk a Barrow court case for tapping up. all clubs can do is talk to his agent.

TheLazyLewisGuy wrote:
Pretty sure you can speak to who you want once the Jan window shuts if you.re out of contract that summer.

Otherwise how can Barrow ask for an answer now if he hasnt been able to speak to anyone else yet ?

Cook is on Curle's radar...

www.newsandstar.co.uk/Carlisle-Utd-boss-...94ea-405925242f57-ds

Edit - Just scored again for Barrow

See he's scored again today.

I was talking to someone at the match today who watched a bit of Cook and he reckons he's very similar to Wyke but probably not quite as good. If he's cheap then maybe worth a punt to see how he does, but IMO Wyke needs a different type of player beside him.

Notched a double...

Cook to Carlisle
Rigg to Barrow as his replacement?

Could. throw in Brough as well

If hes similar to Wyke but not as good then i hope we arent the club thats supposedly offering him £2k a week.

Seems you may not have been far away NORTHERNSOUL suggesting he may of been one of the players Curl was speaking to this week, at least we now know that he is on the radar. Wonder how he would cope with not being first on the team sheet every week as I would imagine that helps with his fitness and confidence, as we know only too well nobody is guaranteed a start with Curly, having said that we could do worse than have Andy in the squad even if not first choice to begin with... Watching with interest.

Arragorn wrote:
Hmmm, could be "Too many Brough's spoil the Cook" - getting my coat & looking for the door

crunchblue wrote:
Cook is nothing like Wyke his game is based on 100% aggression when was the last time you saw that from Wyke.

The guy is available for free for less than wed pay a talisman striker what have we got to lose 2 year contract and if he turns out to not hack it Casson will most likely buy him back.

A no brainer for me.

Gannadan wrote:
DB Its Barrow who have offered him 2k a week the league offer is less than that and a year shorter contract

GD I.d say if you were on target to score 25 goals a season youd be the first name on Curles teamsheet as Jabo was until he turned back into the player he has always been.

crunchblue wrote:



I heard it was Hanford going to Barrow, not sure if that would be an exchange though as there wouldnt be a transfer fee involved.

NORTHERNSOUL wrote:
Fair dos. Just what I got told.

Me I've never seen Cook play. Didn't get a look in when he was last here.

I'm hoping we could bring in a bit more quality as opposed to a non-lge carthorse. There won't be any football played on the deck either as it will be hoofball all season long.