Yes I'm a big fan of him.
He is the 2nd best we've got (after Strauss) and is still averaging 40+
I think he has developed his game since his introduction, he has learned more aggresive strokes particularly off the spinners, he has developed a slog sweep.
Going through his dismissalls in the Ashes;
Cardiff 1st innings: A good catch from Hussey in the gulley for 10 off Hilfenhaus, on other days the fielder wouldn't have caught it
2nd innings:Missed a straight ball from Johnson, plumb LBW for 6
Lords 1st innings: Yet again simply missed a straight one from Johnson, however he had compiled a 96 at a fair strike rate of 64
2nd innings: This time fell over a Hauritz spinner and departed lbw for 32, again a good strike rate of 76 when England needed quick runs
Edgbaston 1st innings: 4th ball duck from Siddle fishing outside off stump
Headingly 1st innings: Again caught in the slips, but this was a decent ball from Stuart Clark, he went for 30 this time
2nd innings: Gone for 30 again nicking to Haddin, off a great outswinger from Mitchell Johnson
The Oval 1st innings: caught in the slips again off Siddle for 10, a decent ball but could have been played better
2nd innings: Caught off the slip from the spinner for 9
Overall there is only really two ways Cook gets out, leg before or caught in the slips. People say he has a weakness on that line of 4th stump just outside off, but he has recieved some good balls this year and as far as i can remember was never dropped, or got away with bad umpire decisions. I agree one 50 in 9 innings is not good enough, but the thing that concerns me is that 7 of the 9 innings he fell before Strauss. The only exceptions were both innings of Headingly when he was the main resisitance of the top 5. This puts a lot of pressure on Strauss, who in his current form relishes the pressure and responsibility, but when roles are reversed I agree Cook would have to improve as Strauss is seeing him though at the moment. I know its a while away but looking into that 1st test in South Africa I would like to see:
Strauss
Cook
Pietersen
Bell/Collingwood
Trott
Prior
Broad
Or of course you could play both Bell and Colly with a 4 man bowling attack.
My overall opinion is that the openers have developed a good relationship and would not tinker with it while the middle order is even more inconsistent