Carlton Cole
Boss Sam Allardyce is smiling as Carlton Cole continues to play the dressing room joker.
Despite leaving the striker on the bench against Fulham until nine minutes from the end Big Sam declared that he loves the big man to bits.
And the smile grew even bigger when the Irons loyalist scored the second goal after being cheered to the rafters by the Upton Park faithful.
And afterwards boss Allardyce said: “I love Carlton to bits, man. He makes me laugh. He’s not got a dull bone in his body.
“Carlton is a lovely lad, he loves playing football. The lads are glad to have him back because he makes them laugh and gets them in a good mood.
“That goal will help him immensely, it helps the team, and helped finish off a very good performance.”
Cole wants a starting berth but said: “Listen, I’m not going to mess around with the harmony of the camp. I’ve always been a good influence around the club.
“Anyone who knows me knows I’m not going to knock on the manager’s door, saying, ‘I’ve got to start’.
“Obviously I do want to — he knows that. I can only convince him by my actions.
“Once you score, you feel you can get in a rhythm and score more. Hopefully they will be important goals. I want to keep the momentum going.”
