Andy Carroll

[dww]

In the modern world of a squad game it must be disheartening for the 'cover' players (which you must have in a squad) if they know they can't be first teamers regardless of performance. Obviously its positive for the young players in so far as they haven't got to worry about high paid players blocking their path. I just wonder how in reality this will play out, how do you keep 'cover players' keen. Do you have to have older players reaching the twilight of their career as 'cover players'? Bold management, lets hope it pays off.

Personally I think it is more a case of the fact that the cover players we have don't fit how he wants to play. Ideally I think we will be looking to emulate Barcelona, where most of the backup players are youth products who know the system with only a few key reserves with more experience to offer different options.

[DannyMan2006]

If youth players prove capable that will allow us to spend any cash on top class players. That's the dream scenario.

A club like ours shouldn't have to be spending millions on back up players. All that should be going towards those who can genuinely make a massive impact.

Hopefully Sterling can continue to impress and the likes of Morgan & Suso can step up.

[tsb]

Ideally I think we will be looking to emulate Barcelona, where most of the backup players are youth products who know the system with only a few key reserves with more experience to offer different options.

We should get that Segura fella in, I hear he's free at the moment!

[SB]

I would imagine Rodgers' 1-11 and cover players are interchangeable if back-up players prove they're worthy of regular first team action?

That's how I interpreted that too.

[Shaggy]

Phil McNulty @philmcnulty
Spoken to West Ham co-owner David Gold who told me "it would be a miracle" if they put a deal together for Andy Carroll before the dealine.

[TheElephantMan]

Assuming Andy Carroll does want to stay here and he's happy to be a bit part player what does that suggest about his intentions? Does he really believe that he can force his way into the first eleven or is he just happy picking up massive wages sitting on his arse? It seems clear that Rodgers would use him sparingly so you'd think he'd be trying to engineer a move elsewhere with the opportunity to play regularly?

[Muddled]

I reckon it's us playing up the West Ham interest to get Newcastle to up their offer.

[Nick77]

I'm forever blowing bubbles...

[Gibbo]

@jsullivanwhu: We expect to sign a top, top, class striker today. My Dad doesn’t give up.

Carroll?

[dom9]

Carroll?

Berbaotov.

[Reece]

Berbaotov.

Off to Fulham isn't he?

[Gibbo]

Berbaotov.

@jsullivanwhu: It is not : Berbatov we think he is going to fulham sadly

[Vermilion]

The 'my dad doesn't give up' bit, makes it sound like AC...to me anyway. ?

[Gibbo]

Isnt it Carroll that they need to convince though, not us?

[dom9]

Off to Fulham isn't he?

We was going to Fiorentina yesterday too.

I predict another twist in this tale / tail.