Lee Cook Profiled - The Guardian/Steve Claridge

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Scouting report: Lee Cook, Queens Park Rangers
Steve Claridge Tuesday December 5, 2006 The Guardian
Some wingers blow hot and cold. They are usually good going forward - that is how they make their name - but can sometimes be found wanting defensively. Wingers who have consistency are those who can play well when in possession but can also affect the game by doing the ugly work and making sure that the side does not have to carry them in defence.
This is what marks out QPR's Lee Cook, a left-winger who, reports suggest, is being watched by Tottenham and other Premiership clubs. He has everything that you expect of a winger: quality crosses into the box, free-kicks that threaten to embarrass any goalkeeper, an ability to go past people at will and a talent for relieving pressure in tight situations by his willingness to receive the ball, even when marked.
I have seen this lad a number of times, most recently against Sunderland last Tuesday when he was looking below par and was substituted at half-time. I later found that he had a broken hand, injured ribs and a dead leg, so I will forgive and forget. The fact that he played that night was a good indicator of his character - there aren't too many wingers who would do that.
Cook is strong for a little 'un - he is 5ft 9in - and you can tell he has been in great form because his team-mates are more than eager to get the ball to him at every occasion, often leaving him alone to get on with the job in hand. There is no overlapping full-back to pass to, simply because his quality on the ball is second to none. He is always ready to give his team-mates an option, even when he could have been forgiven for not making himself available.
Cook is not great in the air, and is someone to whom defending certainly does not come naturally, but he has obviously worked at this side of his game, and with that willing attitude he more than does his share. He must learn to tuck himself in when the ball is on the opposite side, and his reading of flick-ons when he is the nearest player to the centre-forward has got to improve. He also needs to get around the back when balls are played across the box from the other side, as at times he gets too wide, but I'm sure that will come with experience. One thing very much in his favour is that he doesn't have to play well to earn his place in the side, as he is certainly capable of occupying not one but two of his opponents, simply because he has shown what a good player he is. When I watched him against Sunderland he was up against a very quick full-back and right midfield player who doubled up on him at every opportunity.
Even with his weaker foot his service into the box was admirable. Once or twice he went looking for the ball and seemed totally at home receiving it where he wasn't facing his marker. He could probably benefit from a full-back who is prepared to attack a little more to utilise the space he has left.
With a dearth of good left-sided players, there is certainly an opportunity for him to climb into the Premiership, probably quicker than he imagines. But I'm not sure he will fetch the £10m that QPR's chairman, Gianni Paladini, was quoted as saying the club wants for him.
How he rates
Age: 24
Born: London
Position: winger
Height: 5ft 9in
Weight: 11st 4lb
From: Watford
Attitude: 8/10
Passing: 9/10
Awareness: 9/10
Heading: 6/10
Tackling: 7/10
Team responsibility: 8/10
Valuation £1m-1½m
The Guardian