Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[Liverpool]

I think Gerrard holds they key to getting the best out of carroll. he's the one player that can link the midfield to the attack quickly. He loved playing off of Crouch and I think he'll enjoy similar with Carroll.

I hope so, I think Raul was capable of it as well but we cashed in on 12 mil, id have kept him and got out £35 mil striker some service

[little dave hedgehog]

I dont think we're playing anywhere near to his strengths, personally. I'm not saying he cant do more, but we arent giving him the best chance, with the way we're playing. Of course he needs to improve - he's 22 though and i dont know any 22 year old player who was at his peak at that stage.

fowler. and owen for that matter.

[Craig_H]

No-one is talking about hoofing. You see, I don't think we be a team that'll put in a lot of crosses, and one of the biggest reason Carroll is struggling is because he's having to adapt his game.

Well then the problem isnt with him, because good utilisation of crossing opportunities is a very good way to score goals.

[Craig_H]

fowler. and owen for that matter.

Great examples, two of the greatest goalscorers in the club's history.

Why not compare him to Messi and Ronaldo, while we're at it.

[little dave hedgehog]

you said players in their prime when they were about 22. there you go.

[Craig_H]

So that's two in the history of football then?

Maybe we should want Carroll to be in his prime at 22 and washed up by 26/27 too.

[little dave hedgehog]

i'm not making any sort of judgment on carroll. you said you couldn't think of any. i can. i'm sure there are others.

[Craig_H]

Well you're taking it very literally. There's always exceptions to the rule, but generally speaking, players arent anywhere near their peak at 22, as you'll know. To say i've 'never' seen one was wrong on my part, but you knew the general point i was making, i'm sure.

[little dave hedgehog]

nope. i can only take things literally, craig. i don't understand innuendo.

also i hope that carroll becomes good.

[Craig_H]

Zzzzzzz. Night.

[Zapater]

I'm getting a bit sick of all this ****e. People writing him off after he's had 14 games for us. And they arent 14 full games, they have come across two different seasons and he's barely been 100% fit at any point since we signed him. AND he's ****ing 22 years old.

If we'd paid £8m for him, no cunt would be on his back, yet he is getting slagged off for the fee, which had nothing to do with him.

But that was enough for everyone to slag off Aquilani, call him a flop and a pussy etc. If Carroll came from a different league everyone would have a theory about how he can't adapt. Carroll has showed nothing, I didn't think he'd fit in before we signed him. I'm not saying things won't improve but I just struggle to see it happening.

But we didn't pay 8m for him. If we did then I'd agree that it'd have been a risk worth taking, but being our record signing, expectation comes with the territory. I know it's not his fault what he was bought for, and no one is having a go at him as a human being, but questioning his footballing ability. Fees matter, when it comes to expectation. There's a reason we didn't spend 20m on Ngog, so I don't buy that notion. Over the years barring Keane and Aquilani our other big money signings have generally played consistently, and played well.

Lastly when you look at the fee and the other players in that price range Carroll sticks out like a sore thumb. Now I'm not saying "Carroll cost x so did Aguero, what were we thinking?" but when it comes to strikers in that cost bracket we could've done better, a lot better. I'd rather have even bought a cheaper alternative to get us through until this season, instead of panic buying in January. Spending 10m or so (hypothetically obviously) on someone like Kenwyn Jones who'd offer roughly the same positives, then buying a proper attacker at the start of this season when there was time to negotiate a reasonable fee etc.

[BobTheCharmer]

But that was enough for everyone to slag off Aquilani, call him a flop and a pussy etc. If Carroll came from a different league everyone would have a theory about how he can't adapt. Carroll has showed nothing, I didn't think he'd fit in before we signed him. I'm not saying things won't improve but I just struggle to see it happening.

But we didn't pay 8m for him. If we did then I'd agree that it'd have been a risk worth taking, but being our record signing, expectation comes with the territory. I know it's not his fault what he was bought for, and no one is having a go at him as a human being, but questioning his footballing ability. Fees matter, when it comes to expectation. There's a reason we didn't spend 20m on Ngog, so I don't buy that notion. Over the years barring Keane and Aquilani our other big money signings have generally played consistently, and played well.

Lastly when you look at the fee and the other players in that price range Carroll sticks out like a sore thumb. Now I'm not saying "Carroll cost x so did Aguero, what were we thinking?" but when it comes to strikers in that cost bracket we could've done better, a lot better. I'd rather have even bought a cheaper alternative to get us through until this season, instead of panic buying in January. Spending 10m or so (hypothetically obviously) on someone like Kenwyn Jones who'd offer roughly the same positives, then buying a proper attacker at the start of this season when there was time to negotiate a reasonable fee etc.

some good points in there. 35m is a ****ing lot when i think about it, for that money he really should tick a few more of the boxes than he currently does. But its not his fault he doesn't and its not our money. So the price tag should be fairly irrelevant when judging him.

Now I'm racking my brain to to think of a player with Carrolls attributes (ie big target man and all round beast) that in the past has ever been a world beater. there's been effective ones yes but not a game changer or winner on his own as far as I can recall. therefore for Carroll to have proved a great signing in most peoples eyes, he'll basically have to rewrite the rule book. Has he enough in his lcoker to do this?

Christ that seems an uphill struggle to say the least.

Ah well, **** it, come on Carroll son, prove everyone wrong!

I think he'll get between 8 & 12 goals this year. If we get 4th, then thats an acceptable return. He'll never get 25+ though.

One things for sure, if he is going to make it, he needs the fans full and unwavering support.

[yamiedo]

some good points in there. 35m is a ****ing lot when i think about it, for that money he really should tick a few more of the boxes than he currently does. But its not his fault he doesn't and its not our money. So the price tag should be fairly irrelevant when judging him.

Now I'm racking my brain to to think of a player with Carrolls attributes (ie big target man and all round beast) that in the past has ever been a world beater. there's been effective ones yes but not a game changer or winner on his own as far as I can recall. therefore for Carroll to have proved a great signing in most peoples eyes, he'll basically have to rewrite the rule book. Has he enough in his lcoker to do this?

Christ that seems an uphill struggle to say the least.

Ah well, **** it, come on Carroll son, prove everyone wrong!

I think he'll get between 8 & 12 goals this year. If we get 4th, then thats an acceptable return. He'll never get 25+ though.

One things for sure, if he is going to make it, he needs the fans full and unwavering support.

I can't think of one but I do think target men can be very underrated because they don't score enough goals. People expect goals from Strikers but with Target Men, 10-15 a season is a good return, as long as they are also contributing to the play in other ways. (Linking up, Knock downs, Assists etc) When it is used right it can be very effective.

If Carroll can find another gear and get 10-15 goals a season but also contribute to the play then surely he should be considered a success to the fans. I never had him down for 20+ goals a season. A target man is expected to do so much more than just score goals. I am struggling to comprehend all these Alan Shearer comparisons before he joined though. Seem like different style of players.

[Mostar]

But that was enough for everyone to slag off Aquilani, call him a flop and a pussy etc. If Carroll came from a different league everyone would have a theory about how he can't adapt. Carroll has showed nothing, I didn't think he'd fit in before we signed him. I'm not saying things won't improve but I just struggle to see it happening.

But we didn't pay 8m for him. If we did then I'd agree that it'd have been a risk worth taking, but being our record signing, expectation comes with the territory. I know it's not his fault what he was bought for, and no one is having a go at him as a human being, but questioning his footballing ability. Fees matter, when it comes to expectation. There's a reason we didn't spend 20m on Ngog, so I don't buy that notion. Over the years barring Keane and Aquilani our other big money signings have generally played consistently, and played well.

Lastly when you look at the fee and the other players in that price range Carroll sticks out like a sore thumb. Now I'm not saying "Carroll cost x so did Aguero, what were we thinking?" but when it comes to strikers in that cost bracket we could've done better, a lot better. I'd rather have even bought a cheaper alternative to get us through until this season, instead of panic buying in January. Spending 10m or so (hypothetically obviously) on someone like Kenwyn Jones who'd offer roughly the same positives, then buying a proper attacker at the start of this season when there was time to negotiate a reasonable fee etc.

Very good post.

[Fosterbloke]

Now I'm racking my brain to to think of a player with Carrolls attributes (ie big target man and all round beast) that in the past has ever been a world beater.

Adriano, Didier Drogba, Christian Vieri...