Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[Exiled_red]

I'm in somewhat of a quandary about Carroll, I think that Rodgers was too quick to dismiss him, I think he could have been of some use this season, in games like the last two, just because he offers that something different. If you were to throw him on for the last half hour or so I think that his presence is enough to distract defenders and create space for others, as he offers something different for defenders to think about, and I think that whether he plays well or not just making the change could be enough to make a difference. At the moment we don't have that different option, we have had to continue with the same options and same game plan that hasn't seen us score. While I admire Rodgers for wanting to get us playing attractive football, I think that we are forgetting that unattractive football can also be effective, we have seen that from the opposition in the last couple of weeks. Football is about options, and at the moment attack wise we only have one way to play.

This post isn't so much about Carroll as about a different option in attack, Carroll is just offers a good illustration of the point because his attributes would pose significantly different challenge for opposition players to think about. Long term he isn't the answer but I think that while we are a team in transition, and while we are unlikely to get a decent fee for him I think he could be a useful option to have on the bench.

[BobTheCharmer]

Good post exile, I agree. I think we're morphing into arsenal. Attractive football but no plan b. Let's hope he changes for next season. I'm sure Carroll won't be back but we do need an alternative.

[Exiled_red]

Good post exile, I agree. I think we're morphing into arsenal. Attractive football but no plan b. Let's hope he changes for next season. I'm sure Carroll won't be back but we do need an alternative.

The Arsenal example was something I was also thinking, I don't rate Carroll that highly as a player but I would rather we hang on to him for another season, than let him go for peanuts (obviously if someone offers good money, we shouldn't turn it down, but I don't really see that happening). If keeping him means we can get other areas of the team sorted rather than having to split our transfer budget to include a 'plan B' striker as well, then I can see the sense in that. As much as I don't think people want to hear it I can imagine that next season will also be a transition season, - but hopefully with less of the frustrating games and us battling it out a little higher up the table.

[elrichio86]

Its all very well wanting a plan B - we sorely miss one at times. But Carroll just wasn't a very good plan B. He lacks the mobility and intelligence we would need.

Not only that, he also a very expensive plan B. He's on a pretty hefty wage to have sitting on the bench for the occasional cameo when we need to try something different.

Totally agree Rodgers could have handled him a bit better last summer though.

[cream]

It's not a lack of plan B that's the problem, we're just not there with plan A yet. Andy Carroll isn't gonna make a difference.

[red g]

44 games and 6 goals for us, hardly an inspiring Plan B.

Besides having him as a super sub would do him no favours, think he needs to be a starter wherever he ends up. He needs games to keep fit and pretty sure he wouldnt be happy being a plan b at Liverpool

[RichC]

£35M & £70k per week for a return of 6 goals in 44 games is not someone we should have sitting on the bench as a "hoof it" option. We'd be better served working on our tactics and finishing which has shown to be good enough to create plenty of chances this season but on the odd occasion we've just not popped it into the net.

Get £10M + for him and re-invest the money in player(s) that are more suited to our game and the players around them.

[Vermilion]

44 games and 6 goals for us, hardly an inspiring Plan B.

Besides having him as a super sub would do him no favours, think he needs to be a starter wherever he ends up. He needs games to keep fit and pretty sure he wouldnt be happy being a plan b at Liverpool

aHHH, But if, if those same six goals had come during this season, and in games like yesterdays Reading one, well, then...it would be a miracle.

[RichC]

Ahhhhh but then we might not have brought Sturridge and/or Coutinho due to wages being tied up with Carroll.

[Phoenix07]

£35M & £70k per week for a return of 6 goals in 44 games is not someone we should have sitting on the bench as a "hoof it" option. We'd be better served working on our tactics and finishing which has shown to be good enough to create plenty of chances this season but on the odd occasion we've just not popped it into the net.

Get £10M + for him and re-invest the money in player(s) that are more suited to our game and the players around them.

To add, whether you agree or not, the idea of a Plan B has been ridiculed on Revista De La Liga by Graham Hunter and Guillem Balague when referenced to Barcelona. The idea is that there is a distinct pattern of play, and the plan is tweaked, never changed i.e. Mascherano makes longer passes from the back to the wider areas rather than Xavi/Iniesta making them.
The reason the team does not do well is because Plan A isn't functioning properly, so it needs to be made better.

Someone like Llorente would've been ideal, but it's not going to happen. What we needed yesterday was more penetration from the wider areas to stretch Reading. Coutinho did well on one side, but the other flank was non-existent until Downing came on.

Sell Carroll and invest in a quick player with good ball control and able to play a direct game.

[red g]

aHHH, But if, if those same six goals had come during this season, and in games like yesterdays Reading one, well, then...it would be a miracle.

I cant think of a match winning goal he has ever scored for us in the league? Cups a different matter though

Maybe we could have a 35million Plan B player for cup games only

[RichC]

To add, whether you agree or not, the idea of a Plan B has been ridiculed on Revista De La Liga by Graham Hunter and Guillem Balague when referenced to Barcelona. The idea is that there is a distinct pattern of play, and the plan is tweaked, never changed i.e. Mascherano makes longer passes from the back to the wider areas rather than Xavi/Iniesta making them.
The reason the team does not do well is because Plan A isn't functioning properly, so it needs to be made better.

Someone like Llorente would've been ideal, but it's not going to happen. What we needed yesterday was more penetration from the wider areas to stretch Reading. Coutinho did well on one side, but the other flank was non-existent until Downing came on.

Sell Carroll and invest in a quick player with good ball control and able to play a direct game.

I think that is pretty much the crux of it, this Summer is vitally important we get it right, Jan was the first good transfer window for us since probably the season we finished 2nd (bar Luis of course but that was balanced out with Carroll coming in!).

[BobTheCharmer]

I cant think of a match winning goal he has ever scored for us in the league? Cups a different matter though

Maybe we could have a 35million Plan B player for cup games only

The price is irrelevant. We've paid it and we're not getting it back any time soon. It not the goals he will get or lack of them. Its the goals he can help create by occupying defenders. He can hold it up and that allows the midfield to play off him. A fully fit and confident Carroll is almost unplayable. Like I said earlier he won't want to be a 20 min impact player anymore than Rodgers will want him back. So its more can case of getting in a cheaper option that has pace but also aerial ability.

To be honest I don't think the Rodgers system will ever win anything, its too arsenal. Too intricate, too pretty on the eye. The most successful team for 20 years is utd. Why aren't more teams copying their blueprint? High tempo, fast wingers and lots of attacking options.

[BigChief]

£35M & £70k per week for a return of 6 goals in 44 games is not someone we should have sitting on the bench as a "hoof it" option.

Agreed, we'd be better off taking the £10million+Carlton Cole (on low wages) for Plan B. Which hopefully we'd hardly have to use. And we still have the £10m for a decent player.

[Marina]

I cant think of a match winning goal he has ever scored for us in the league? Cups a different matter though

Maybe we could have a 35million Plan B player for cup games only

Last season, Blackburn away!!!!!!!

I also think it's important to consider that Andy is not an empty vessel to be used in any capacity. If he was going to be kept around here just to maybe play once in awhile, I'm sure he would much rather be getting regular minutes some place like West Ham.