Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[Exiled_red]

Not necessarily. With a decent winger (or two!), we would have any number of permutations as far as formations / player positions go.

In a 4-3-3, I imagine it would look something like this:


----------------Carroll-------------------
Winger----------------------------Winger
----------------Suarez-------------------
--------Gerrard-----------Lucas----------

And what's more, Gerrard could rotate into a more attacking role. Suarez and the wingers could rotate. The potential movement of the attack would be very difficult for a lot of teams to deal with. We could have our own Barca-style carousel.

And while you point out that Bale's stats are inferior to Kuyt's, does that mean you wouldn't swap the two? I don't think the stats really do Bale justice.

I doubt we'd play a team that is so attacking, Suarez is a forward and that would essentially make that a 4-2-4. If we play a 4-3-3 I'd imagine us using two defensive midfielders I can't see Gerrard being one of them (IMO he'd play the role Suarez is shown in in your system). And I can't see Suarez being used as one of 3 midfielders (even if it is as the most attacking one).

[billy_mac]

Not necessarily. With a decent winger (or two!), we would have any number of permutations as far as formations / player positions go.

In a 4-3-3, I imagine it would look something like this:


----------------Carroll-------------------
Winger----------------------------Winger
----------------Suarez-------------------
--------Gerrard-----------Lucas----------

And what's more, Gerrard could rotate into a more attacking role. Suarez and the wingers could rotate. The potential movement of the attack would be very difficult for a lot of teams to deal with. We could have our own Barca-style carousel.

And while you point out that Bale's stats are inferior to Kuyt's, does that mean you wouldn't swap the two? I don't think the stats really do Bale justice.

That's a merry go round I'd like to see.

[Daniel 7]

If that was 0708 Torres up top I could see it working. Still think Carroll is far too static for that formation.

[Fernandinho]

I dont want to see Gerrard at the base of a 4-2-3-1, it never seemed to work. Although I would love to see him in our current lopsided 4-4-2/4-3-3 formation in the RAM position Meireles has been taking up.

[RedReet]

I don't think we'll play a 4-4-2 with two out and out wingers, if we go 4-4-2 I think we'd play one winger probably wide left and a narrow right hand sided player possibly Gerrard / Kuyt, with Johnson providing width from full back.

I’ve predicted the exact same line-up (with Kuyt) a few times, except I was going for a more 4231 set-up. The only problem is fitting Gerrard in.

If we go with a front 3 I would imagine it will be very fluid with 3 from Suarez, Carroll, Kuyt and new winger(s) all being given alot of freedom rather than fixed positions/sides.

That’s what I would expect also, but I just have this inkling that the fluid front 3 would be a lot more fluid and potent without Carroll. I obviously hope to be proven wrong.

I don't think whatever system we play will see us play with 2 out and out wingers, we may sign two but I would imagibne one would be first choice and the other largely a backup

A quality first team LW is a must, but I can’t see us spending big on two (I hope I’m wrong though), so decent back-up to provide cover would be a good bit of business.

Not necessarily. With a decent winger (or two!), we would have any number of permutations as far as formations / player positions go.

In a 4-3-3, I imagine it would look something like this:


----------------Carroll-------------------
Winger----------------------------Winger
----------------Suarez-------------------
--------Gerrard-----------Lucas----------

And what's more, Gerrard could rotate into a more attacking role. Suarez and the wingers could rotate. The potential movement of the attack would be very difficult for a lot of teams to deal with. We could have our own Barca-style carousel.

And while you point out that Bale's stats are inferior to Kuyt's, does that mean you wouldn't swap the two? I don't think the stats really do Bale justice.

As you said we could have countless permutations, each one of them capable of scoring plenty of goals, but every time I see one on paper, I see us conceding just as many. That formation posted isn’t that far from my own, but I have to have Kuyt in for his defensive duties, and even then I don’t think that’s enough.

Re Bale: I was thinking more along the lines of Bale being an effective winger, who was at the top of his game, yet when it came to what matters (goals), he wasn’t that really effective after all.

I also think he’s massively overrated BTW and I probably wouldn’t swap Kuyt for Messi never mind Bale.

I doubt we'd play a team that is so attacking, Suarez is a forward and that would essentially make that a 4-2-4. If we play a 4-3-3 I'd imagine us using two defensive midfielders I can't see Gerrard being one of them (IMO he'd play the role Suarez is shown in in your system). And I can't see Suarez being used as one of 3 midfielders (even if it is as the most attacking one).

Keeping with the theme of my post…

[Mostar]

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2011/05/19/liverpool-fc-striker-andy-carroll-may-be-out-of-england-under-21-23-man-squad-100252-28722036/

Liverpool FC striker Andy Carroll may be out of England Under-21 23-man squad

LIVERPOOL were set to discover today whether Andy Carroll will be on duty for England Under-21s at June’s European Championships in Denmark.

Coach Stuart Pearce was expected to trim his 40-man provisional squad down to 23 with Reds midfielder Jay Spearing also waiting on the announcement.

Carroll is believed to have told Pearce he shares the views of his manager Kenny Dalglish that he would be better off resting this summer.

The £35million frontman has been hampered by a niggling knee injury in recent weeks and has only made nine appearances since his switch to Anfield from Newcastle in January.

However, Pearce has vowed to pick the strongest possible squad for the tournament and could still press ahead with plans to select Carroll.

Even if he is named in the squad today Carroll could withdraw at a later date as Pearce has until June 1 to submit the final list.

Meanwhile, Raul Meireles looks set to miss Liverpool’s final game of the season away to Aston Villa on Sunday.

The Portugal international is still hampered by the hamstring injury he suffered in the Reds’ recent 5-2 victory over Fulham.

Meireles sat out last Sunday’s 2-0 reverse at home to Tottenham and is running out of time to prove his fitness before the trip to Villa Park.

The midfielder, who has scored five goals in 40 appearances during an impressive first campaign at Anfield, was sorely missed against Spurs.

In his absence Kenny Dalglish is likely to keep faith with the side which slipped to a first home defeat since he returned as manager.

Liverpool, who are a point behind Spurs, will qualify for the Europa League if they can better the Londoners’ result at home to relegation threatened Birmingham City.

The Reds’ superior goal difference means a draw would be good enough to secure fifth place if Harry Redknapp’s side are beaten.

One player hoping to force his way into the starting line up for Liverpool’s final game is teenager Jonjo Shelvey, who has recently caught the eye after coming off the bench.

The 19-year-old believes the fact the Reds are even in contention for Europe underlines how far they have come since Dalglish succeeded Roy Hodgson.

“In January, when the boss took over, you would not have expected us to be fifth come the end of the season,” Shelvey said.

“We were struggling, even though the training was good and Roy was a good manager.

“I just think Kenny has got everyone going and you can tell around the place there is a massive team spirit and it is showing in our performances.

“He has got us passing and moving, which Liverpool fans want to see, and I think it is good because he has given a lot of youngsters a chance as well.”

Dalglish is set to wield the axe this summer as he off-loads a host of fringe players who are surplus to requirements.

However, Shelvey, who signed from Charlton a year ago, is highly-rated by the manager and is safe in the knowledge he remains part of Liverpool’s future.

“He has said that I am in his plans,” Shelvey added. “I have got a lot to look forward to.

“I am still a young boy, I’m still learning, which is why it is good to play with players like Steven Gerrard and Dirk Kuyt, and learn day in, day out from them.”

Meanwhile, Fulham and Wolves are considering a move for Liverpool’s Paul Konchesky. The left-back has no future at Anfield.

[danperkins]

Vital that Carroll rests in the summer, think Arsenal sharing the same thoughts as Wilshere got his call up. Given Carroll's recent injuries it would be a bit irresponsible of Pearce to select him.

[Mostar]

Tomo would disagree

@Phil_Thompson4
Carroll and Wilshire should go with the U21 team,they will learn how to play under tournament conditions

[Mostar]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-Arsenal-Jack-Wilshere-and-Andy-Carroll-are-OUT-of-the-England-Under-21-squad-EXCLUSIVE-article738808.html

EXCLUSIVE: Wilshere and Carroll are OUT of the England U-21 squad

Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll are out of the England Under-21 squad for this summer's European Championships in Denmark.

After weeks of heated debate the 23 man squad named by Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce will omit the Arsenal midfielder and Liverpool’s £35million striker.

Arsenal will be relieved by Wilshre’s absence. Manager Arsene Wenger has repeatedly warned that the 19 year-old needs a summer’s break to recharge his batteries after making the breakthrough as an Arsenal first teamer as well as a full England international.

Wilshere had wanted to be part of the Under-21’s quest for glory. It seems in the past few weeks Wilshere has had a change of heart and eventually decided he would follow the guidance of Arsenal’s medical team and miss the finals.

“Wilshere has played more than 50 games,” said Wenger. “If he goes with the Under-21’s then I will give him a four-week rest.”

That could have delayed Wilshere’s appearances for Arsenal next season.

Carroll’s situation is different. Since his January move to Anfield the towering striker has been handicapped by a thigh injury. Even at the end of the season he looked woefully short of fitness.

Rather than seeing the summer tournament as a route to getting fit, Carroll will be left to work on his conditioning at Anfield.

That will please Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish who has made the point that the Under-21’s should be a stepping stone to full international appearances. Carroll has moved into the big time and will gain little by moving back to the junior set-up.

Wilshere’s absence, in particular, will be a blow to coach Pearce. Senior FA officers believe Pearce is in a no win situation.

He has had the clubs campaigning to keep players out of his squad and yet he is expected to lead the Under-21’s to glory and show the England set-up is heading in the right direction.

[BrooklynRed]

http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news...cle738808.html


EXCLUSIVE: Wilshere and Carroll are OUT of the England U-21 squad

Great news. Get healthy and train for 2011-12 instead of battling a bunch of no mark 21 year old CBs and getting hacked all over the park.

[Pablo]

He desperately needs the break IMO.

[Bender]

just heard the back end of a convo on talksport that andy carroll needs a ankle op....said before he should have been given the rest of the season off

[Kenneth]

Or maybe not buying an injured player in Jan would have made more sense. Pretty sure we could have bought him this summer for less than we paid and Newcastle could have paid 6 months of wages.

[Fernandinho]

But he has had 6 months of an adjustment

[DannyMan2006]

Or maybe not buying an injured player in Jan would have made more sense. Pretty sure we could have bought him this summer for less than we paid and Newcastle could have paid 6 months of wages.

Fully agree. From the perspective you are saying anyways.

It could be similar to the aquilani situation though, he's took longer than expected to recover, and hasn't been helped by picking up other little knocks.

I guess from the owners point of view, it showed our intentions. Despite chasing other targets they only ended up breaking pretty much even in the January transfer market. Imagine the moans and groans had we been about £32m in the black.

There's no doubt the signing of Carroll gave the whole club a lift at just the right time. Also, had we waited, there is no guarantee we would have been able to sign him. Others could have outbid us this summer and we'd have missed out.