Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[cream]

That's the problem for some people right there. He'll never be 'good enough' simply because he's Andy Carroll.

He's Andy Carroll, he'll never be good enough.

[Craig_H]

He's Andy Carroll, he'll never be good enough.

Did you read that on RAWK?

[Phoenix07]

That's the problem for some people right there. He'll never be 'good enough' simply because he's Andy Carroll.

Not at all.

If he played like he did last night, then I'd be more than happy for him to stay on next season.

If you take Andy Carroll's name out of your post and put in Stewart Downing's name there, you might have a point.

[Craig_H]

I didnt mention you.

But the point is, he has been playing like that (when picked to start) for a good few games now.

[Lee]

Oh he's definitely turned the corner.

People were on his back to start with though because he really was poor up until the end of the year. I mentioned in this thread a few times previously that he looked like a ****ing pub footballer because he really did look bad.

But if he carries on his recent form and starts to score regularly then I'll be happy. Chuffed for the lad.

[The_weatherman]

I think I'm going to drink a glass of MattShark's water this morning.

It's still not been good enough though, apart from last night where he showed more than the usual minimum standards required.

You can't. The glass is empty

[Craig_H]

You can't. The glass is empty

No no no, he's 'optimistic'

[Fosterbloke]

No no no, he's 'optimistic'

He's German.

[badpiggy]

[dww]

Carroll was excellent tonight, worked hard and did a lot of the ugly stuff really well.

A lot of really nice touches. It was his control and passing that impressed me.

Another excellent performance tonight, starting to look like the player we thought we were signing a year ago. Should definitely start against Stoke.

I still think his movement around the box and attitude in the box needs some work. Generally he was excellent though. Perhaps the analogy to Crouch is more true than it was a few months ago when I first saw it - i.e. I think he'll come good and add more goals to his game now he is playing well.

[danperkins]

Some proper hyperbole going around based on last night's performance. I think people like to get carried away with him. He's either brilliant or ****e and it's not going to help our analysis of him.

Let's not get carried away. He had a good game and got involved a lot more, as well as putting in the effort and displaying some technical qualities like winning a few headers, linking play up well.

His movement and desire to get into the box were still poor.

Credit where it's due, but as for a future here? Consistency is vital.

good balanced post.

And yup there will always be extreme reactions, whether they be positive and negative. Carroll was good last night he just needs to do that every week and score goals. He has such a long way to go, but performances like last night are a step in the right direction, although he'd probably wanna get in that direction pretty sharpish

[badpiggy]

I'm delighted that Carroll has played a lot better in his last few games. But surely people are only impressed in terms of improvement not by any high standard of good play. And he still isn't scoring and I see nothing in his game to suggest he will be prolific. As was pointed out elsewhere, Kelly gets into better positions. Couple of good touches last night and one brilliant crossfield pass. Max 10-15 goals a season. Which I suppose would be good. I'm not complaining about the £35M pricetag - I just don't think he a CF of sufficient quality to play in a team with title aspirations.

[Zapater]

For the first time, excluding Man City last season I'm genuinely been extremely happy with his performance. I've been somewhat critical of Carroll overall, even in light of his recent improvement, as I still don't think he's been up to scratch as a Liverpool striker, but he's showing signs. However last night I thought he was very good. I was particularly pleased that he used his gigantic frame, held/won the ball a few times, defended well and towards the end of the game got the ball in space and fired off some excellent passes.

I was surprised to find that some people were moaning about him not being on the scoresheet etc. I know strikers are judged on their goals but if he puts in solid team performances like that every week, it'll definitely help our cause and I'm sure he would register in the scoring department from time to time if he keeps it up.

I'm passed the point of debating in my head what we were thinking signing him and/or the alternatives. We have him now, so it's up to the management team to get the best out of him until he isn't a Liverpool player any more. So, if he keeps on improving and showing that he gives a ****, well then I'll be satisfied.

There's still obviously a lot of room for improvement but as I say I thought he was very good in the last game particular. I think that the remainder of the games in this season could go a long way toward him establishing himself (or not) for the next couple of seasons at the club.

[Mostar]

I didnt mention you.

But the point is, he has been playing like that (when picked to start) for a good few games now.

Good point.

Very difficult imo to get any consistencies and confidence back when he has been picked irregularly.

See his last 12 games

Everton - Start

Sunderland - Bench

Arsenal - Bench

Cardiff - Start

Brighton - Start

United - Bench

Spurs - Start

Wolves - Start

United -Start

City - Bench

Bolton - Start

Stoke - Bench

[DannyMan2006]

Great post Zap.

Carroll has improved much of late, just hope he keeps his place now. We surely need to know if he can adapt his game to suit us.

One doubt I have though. I still believe Carroll & Suarez would work much better along side a clinical finisher. I'm not sure they can be a great pairing themselves.