Cole revelling in odd-couple partnership

Ice-cool Carlton Cole is desperate for West Ham to keep hold of firebrand strike-partner Craig Bellamy because he is a firm believer in the theory that opposites attract.

Bellamy is a January transfer target for a number of West Ham’s Barclays Premier League rivals and Cole has urged the club to continue to stand firm in the face of any interest.

The pair are contrasting characters. Cole, who scored his third goal in three games on Saturday, is emerging as West Ham’s silent assassin compared to the more demonstrative and demanding Wales international.

Bellamy is not shy to point out where his team-mates have gone wrong during a game and in a routine 3-0 FA Cup win over Barnsley it was full-back Julien Faubert who was most on the receiving end.

Cole admitted the ear-bashing approach can take some getting used to – but he relishes Bellamy’s passion and wants him to remain alongside him at Upton Park.

“I’d love him to stay here for a very long time,” said Cole.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen but everyone at the club wants him here. The manager wants him here, the players want him here.”