Coronel, sacrifice, and an understrength squadron

Could Glasgow or Cradock have done more at the Battle of Coronel?

No; the squadron fought an overmatch to weaken and delay it, but higher command should have supplied stronger ships.

Glasgow could not have changed the outcome by taking greater risks. Cradock's squadron was badly overmatched and should have received more and better ships from higher command. Its task in the battle was to damage and delay Spee so that another British force could catch the German squadron. Glasgow had itself taken damage and needed work in Brazil before it could fight effectively again, so a one-on-one night action against Nürnberg would not have redeemed the wider defeat.