Andy Carroll - Best Striker in the World

[Exiled_red]

Not the biggest Carroll fan but we need to give him a run of games. He's come close to scoring a few times recently with these short appearances from the bench.

He did okay last night so let's see what he can do with six starts on the bounce. Trouble is Suarez won't get rested (although I think he needs one), Maxi & Bellamy deserve places in the team, Downing will start more often than not and that's without mentioning Kuyt, Henderson and Gerrard (when fit of course). Too many players and not enough room for them all.

It's a nice problem to have, a few years ago an imjury to more or less any position meant we'd be weakening our side, we're now getting close to the stage were we can swap players around and not see much of a drop in quality.

[Exiled_red]

I miss Poulsen and Konchesky.

[RedReet]

It's a nice problem to have, a few years ago an imjury to more or less any position meant we'd be weakening our side, we're now getting close to the stage were we can swap players around and not see much of a drop in quality.

It's also why I posated in another thread why I don't think we'll splash big money in January on another striker/finisher. I just don't see how we can accommodate one.

[Neil Young]

I just don't see how we can accommodate one.

Zidane's house is available.

[RedReet]

Zidane's house is available.

Oh, has Martin O'Neil moved out?

[Neil Young]

He's taking in lodgers. Recession etc.

[lickedlollipop]

I miss Poulsen and Konchesky.

...

and i totally forgot about them

[Vermilion]

Aye, at least he stepped up to take the peno, Torres iirc declined the opportunity not so long ago.

[Baracus]

If Carroll is going to get a run of games it has to be in the next 6 games. Its a shame he was not on the pitch 15 minutes earlier. But his lack of mobility, ability to press and maybe stamina to help the defence/midfield looks to me to be his biggest downfall to get back into the starting 11

FFS Andy Give the Manager a reason to pick you. There are too many things lacking in his game.

[truefan999]

He is ****. We got conned. Nothing left to see here

[Kenneth]

We didn't get conned, we were just stupid.

[Exiled_red]

We didn't get conned, we were just stupid.

That doesn't make it any better

[cream]

back to the bench then. Was hoping we could use this month to try and get his valuation up, might as well put him on the shelf for now.

[Exiled_red]

In fairness I thought he was alright last night, people seem to be suggesting that if we replaced him all our problems would be over. I think this is an over simplification, he's only getting one or two decent chances a game, it's not like we're creating chance after chance for him and he's missing sitter after sitter.

The problem with Carroll for me is not one of his own making, the biggest problem I see with Carroll is that his presence in the team tends to result in us playing a more direct style and launching balls up to him rather than relying on other aspects of the team game, such as short quick passing, movement off the ball, and 1-2's etc which players like Maxi, Bellamy and Suarez do so well. I prefer this short, quick passing style of play myself, and think that launching balls up to Carroll should be a 'plan B' used primarily late in games when we need goals.

[Zapater]

Would anyone swap him with Torres if the opportunity presented itself? I wouldn't really want to, but definitely would.