Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[Rowan]

That Henderson looks like an arrogant, mouthy ****er too though, Reece. I can see him throwing his weight around behind the scenes. You know, challenging people to arm wrestling contests and constant showing off his guns

[dww]

My biggest concern with Carroll is his mentality, he seems fragile to me and rather than getting his head down and working he appears on the pitch to blame everyone but himself when things aren't going right.

I think he has potential but he needs to buckle down and make a real effort between now and the end of the season as otherwise I could see us cutting our losses with him

I think the mentality problem is one common to several of our recent signings (and it was a bit of an issue for me before they came). I think it is the single biggest thing we need to work on this summer. The difference between United and City (and arguably Arsenal as well) has largely been about mentality this season.

[dww]

Someone told me something pretty interesting about our dressing room dynamic the other day and it's supposed to be a huge issue in the problems that Carroll is having.

Just to stress though. I got it from a someone who got it from one of his friends so it has already been watered down or exaggerated twice by the time they told me.

Obviously hard to make a judgement based on hearsay but its worth remembering that one of Rafas first reported acts was to break up cliques and to try and get a better dressing room culture in place. I tend to think building a good team requires that you get the right blend of personalties as well as the correct mix of skills.

[Phoenix07]

Obviously hard to make a judgement based on hearsay but its worth remembering that one of Rafas first reported acts was to break up cliques and to try and get a better dressing room culture in place. I tend to think building a good team requires that you get the right blend of personalties as well as the correct mix of skills.

Something which Andre Villas Boas wanted to do at Chelsea with the removal of Cech, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Drogba and got the boot for it.

[dww]

Something which Andre Villas Boas wanted to do at Chelsea with the removal of Cech, Terry, Cole, Lampard, Drogba and got the boot for it.

Its a hard thing to do - doubly so at Chelsea as that clique has had considerable success. The ability to break and remake teams whilst maintaining continuity in terms of mental preparedness has been one of the outstanding achievements of Fergussons time at United.

[baitman]

That Henderson looks like an arrogant, mouthy ****er too though, Reece. I can see him throwing his weight around behind the scenes. You know, challenging people to arm wrestling contests and constant showing off his guns

yeh, i bet hendo goes everywhere with a couple of tennis balls in his pocket, ready to belittle his team mates and smash them into oblivion in a game og keepy uppy. no wonder poor AC's confidence is shattered.
they are both pussies

[Fan65]

That Henderson looks like an arrogant, mouthy ****er too though, Reece. I can see him throwing his weight around behind the scenes. You know, challenging people to arm wrestling contests and constant showing off his guns

You can see that can you, just by his appearace on the pitch, amazing.

[Craig_H]

You can see that can you, just by his appearace on the pitch, amazing.

I *think* Rowan MIGHT just have been taking the piss somewhat.

[Red_Polo]

You can see that can you, just by his appearace on the pitch, amazing.

Caught a beaut

[Daniel 7]

You can see that can you, just by his appearace on the pitch, amazing.

Duh

[tbounce]

Apologies it this point has already been made - haven't read whole thread.

Just been watching Match of the Day, and specifically the Newcastle v Bolton match. I know a lot of people have talked about Carroll needing time to settle. Papiss Cisse hasn't needed time to settle and cost less than a third of the price of our number 9.

Newcastle are now undeniably better than us which is incredibly depressing!

[Craig_H]

Apologies it this point has already been made - haven't read whole thread.

Just been watching Match of the Day, and specifically the Newcastle v Bolton match. I know a lot of people have talked about Carroll needing time to settle. Papiss Cisse hasn't needed time to settle and cost less than a third of the price of our number 9.

Newcastle are now undeniably better than us which is incredibly depressing!

You've half answered your own point with that bit in bold.

[tbounce]

If you're referring to the weight of Carroll's transfer fee I take your point but surely you're entitled to expect a £35 million indigeneous player would produce more in a comparable period of time than someone who cost substantially less?

Surely the contrast is all the more marked by the fact that the comparator is Senegalese and came direct from the German league?

[Craig_H]

You might expect that he would, but it doesnt always work that way because, and people struggle to comprehend this, but the fee actually doesnt mean anything.

Torres was £50m and he's been ****, Bellamy was free and he's been great.

As for coming from the German league, obviously adapting from abroad can be difficult, but likewise moving to a big club with a big fee brings its own challenges. Cisse was free to play without pressure from the off, because there wasnt any real expectation. He's also more or less the finished article, as he turns 27 this summer. None of those things apply to Carroll.

[Daniel 7]

Thats all very well and good Craig, but what if Carroll has already peaked?

Also, Carroll has had to get used to a new league and language too. In a way.