Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[BringbackBiscan]

Here's an idea. Buy a striker in January that will score goals. Not one that scores less then some of the centre backs in the league.

Teenage heartbroken daydreamy tears over a shot striker that will never be coming back.

[~LFCHistory~]

Your normally fairly spot on Lec but I don't agree with this about Torres, just before his red card he was beginning to click back into gear, his goal away to Man U and more importantly his miss showed that.
Anyone can miss an open goal, maybe 10 strikers in world football could have finished his goal like he did and then make the run for the miss.

I think that AVB went back to 'old' Chelsea (sitting deeper, picking Drogba and Lampard) for short term gains, now he has qualified for the next round of the CL I think he'll revert Chelsea back to a style more like he wants and that means Torres feeding off Mata in a 4-3-3 with the ball being moved much quicker.

There's no doubt Torres is low on confidence but a run of 3-4 games will bring goals and he'll get back to a really high class level.

He's finished as a top level striker.
But even if he was playing well I would'nt want him. This club needs to look to the future and not the past, Torres is the past, let's keep it that way.

[Mostar]

Here's a question. If Torres was offered back to us for £15m - effectively meaning we had sold him, bought him back, and got Andy Carroll pretty much for free, would you go for it?
Could take the pressure off Carroll, could allow him to develop as a squad player, could mean Torres reignites, could mean Carroll learns from Torres's all round play...

There is another side to it too obvs, but that would be worth a risk wouldn't it?

I am under no illusions - it never would happen. Torres burned his bridges here, I know that, but theoretically.

Tough call.

He'll never be the world class player he once was but I think he can still turn things around and be a good footballer.

The problem is that his wages are enormous and for that wage bill you expect top notch quality that he doesn't possess any longer.

[Daniel 7]

Its interesting - I wonder how people would have posted about Rush after Juventus if there were forums / message boards back then. He supposedly lost his pace in Italy and was reported as being finished as well - we took him back and got another 6/7 years out of him, even if he wasn't quite as stellar as he had been before.

[The Birdman]

He's finished as a top level striker.
But even if he was playing well I would'nt want him. This club needs to look to the future and not the past, Torres is the past, let's keep it that way.

That's laughable, there is no way Torres is finished as a 'top level' striker.
Some fans/posters are bitter because he left us and that clouds whatever judgement they may have.
When and it is a when not an if he gets a run of games with Chelsea you'll see his movement and pace come back.
Yes he might not be as lightening quick as before but when you have the clever, intelligent movement he has he will still be a top class striker.

[Daniel 7]

That's laughable, there is no way Torres is finished as a 'top level' striker.
Some fans/posters are bitter because he left us and that clouds whatever judgement they may have.
When and it is a when not an if he gets a run of games with Chelsea you'll see his movement and pace come back.
Yes he might not be as lightening quick as before but when you have the clever, intelligent movement he has he will still be a top class striker.

I have to agree with this. I think most of his problems are mental and environmental. His recent comments about Benitez would suggest he's really, really missed him. He has only really shown form under Kenny for four or five games since Rafa left.

[Lecter]

Your normally fairly spot on Lec but I don't agree with this about Torres, just before his red card he was beginning to click back into gear, his goal away to Man U and more importantly his miss showed that.
Anyone can miss an open goal, maybe 10 strikers in world football could have finished his goal like he did and then make the run for the miss.

I think that AVB went back to 'old' Chelsea (sitting deeper, picking Drogba and Lampard) for short term gains, now he has qualified for the next round of the CL I think he'll revert Chelsea back to a style more like he wants and that means Torres feeding off Mata in a 4-3-3 with the ball being moved much quicker.

There's no doubt Torres is low on confidence but a run of 3-4 games will bring goals and he'll get back to a really high class level.

I disagree

The Torres of years ago is gone alongwith his pace

He will NEVER get back to that level

Now his confidence might return and his form might improve somewhat but the player that ripped teams to bits is gone

[Chris]

That's laughable, there is no way Torres is finished as a 'top level' striker.

Well he's going to have to start proving otherwise as he sure looks it at the moment. I dont think its bitterness, neutrals say it, some Chelsea fans say it, everyone can see it.

Maybe he'll come back out of it but this "needs that" "need this" stuff has been going on nearly a year now. It cant be everyone elses fault forever, theres a reason he's not in the team.

[Lecter]

Its interesting - I wonder how people would have posted about Rush after Juventus if there were forums / message boards back then. He supposedly lost his pace in Italy and was reported as being finished as well - we took him back and got another 6/7 years out of him, even if he wasn't quite as stellar as he had been before.

Rush was more than just pace though, his hold up play at LFC was pretty decent before he left and his runs alone were world class, he also had an amazing first touch

Rush actually improved his all round game whilst he was at Juve

They didn’t really want him to go and despite suggestions to the contrary his record was ok there

In addition he also contracted Hepititus that affected his time over there

Torres has lost his pace over the first couple of yards which was probably his major weapon

I dont see his all round game improving since his pace has vanished in fact if anything the lack of pace has only highlighted his deficiencies

A few years back Torres was truley world class, the last season or so at LFC he as ok whilst at Chelsea hes regressed

I genuinely think the lad is finished as a top class player

[Lecter]

Well he's going to have to start proving otherwise as he sure looks it at the moment. I dont think its bitterness, neutrals say it, some Chelsea fans say it, everyone can see it.

Maybe he'll come back out of it but this "needs that" "need this" stuff has been going on nearly a year now. It cant be everyone elses fault forever, theres a reason he's not in the team.

I spent 18 months making excuses for Torres

Firstly excusing him because of how the team had performed in Rafa's last season

Secondly blaiming Hodgson's tactics

Yes we saw a brief uplift in his form under Kenny but he still lacked the thing that made him a top player - that ability to go from a standing start to past a defender over a couple of yards

That is what made the difference between him being a good player and a world class player

His lack of confidence has turned a good player into a VERY ordinairy player (and thats being kind)

[Neil Young]

A million pages and no nearer a conclusion.

It's been a really good discussion though. Really, really good.

[Maxiedge]

Just been watching some of his match compilations and I think he's trying too hard to justify his price tag. I think he's trying to silence his critics in 90 minutes instead of doing it over the season by trying to score a wonder goal and/ or taking the difficult option.

There's definitely a player in there. Just needs some good coaching.

[Buzzo]

A million pages and no nearer a conclusion.

It's been a really good discussion though. Really, really good.

Yeah, what I particularly like about this thread is how every post adds some new twist on Andy Carroll his career, aspirations, work ethic, potential and ability (sporting and socially) thus keeping the discussion entertaining and lively. Unlike those threads where everyone repeats the same point over and over again.

[Liverpel]

Rush was more than just pace though, his hold up play at LFC was pretty decent before he left and his runs alone were world class, he also had an amazing first touch

Rush actually improved his all round game whilst he was at Juve

They didn’t really want him to go and despite suggestions to the contrary his record was ok there

In addition he also contracted Hepititus that affected his time over there

Torres has lost his pace over the first couple of yards which was probably his major weapon

I dont see his all round game improving since his pace has vanished in fact if anything the lack of pace has only highlighted his deficiencies

A few years back Torres was truley world class, the last season or so at LFC he as ok whilst at Chelsea hes regressed

I genuinely think the lad is finished as a top class player

How did he contract hepatitis? I hadn't heard that before.

[cream]

Saw this on rawk