Should Andy Carroll start for England?

Since his £35 million switch to Liverpool on this year’s January deadline day, Andy Carroll has perhaps failed to live up to high expectations that expectedly came with such a hefty price tag.

After a great start to the season for Newcastle, he scored only 2 goals for the Reds in the close season, scoring an impressive brace against Manchester City after recovering from injury.

This season has seen much of the same with the English striker finding himself frustrated in front of goal although after his first league goal of the season against Everton he’ll be looking to build on it and will be hoping to hit top form soon.

With the media quick to jump on the back of the striker and many fans growing increasingly impatient by the striker’s lack of goals, or even lack of impressive performances, I ask the question should Andy Carroll start for England?

There’s no doubting that Andy Carroll has a number of impressive attributes that have the potential to make him a nightmare for opposition defences. Obviously Carroll possesses great height and aerial ability although questions remain over how this can best be utilised.

This season he has showed he can use his strength to his advantage, being key in the Roger Johnson own goal for Wolves and having a goal, in my opinion, unfairly ruled out against Sunderland.

Carroll however certainly isn’t the most mobile player, despite possessing a great left footed shot he seems fairly mobile and static with many fans questioning his commitment, although comments may be unfair it all adds to the question on how Andy Carroll can perform effectively and re-produce his performances that led to his big money move.

So where exactly could he fit in to the English system? In my opinion Carroll should not be played up front alone, from what I’ve seen of him so far despite seemingly having the attributes to hold up the ball and supply the attacking midfielders from the front, he’s often left isolated up against faster defenders who focus on him more.

So could he fit the English system if played alongside a striker such as Wayne Rooney or Darren Bent? I think he could, with a partner it means he has less technical work to do and will find himself in more space with a dynamic mover such as Rooney who will be all over the pitch whilst Carroll takes up a more advanced position. He could also perhaps suit a ‘Plan B’ for England with Stewart Downing and Ashley Young being able to provide him from the wider positions.

So whether Andy Carroll should start for England, more specifically in the current time with Wayne Rooney facing a likely suspension there remains question marks over whether he has the quality to play for the national side however I feel if given the chance and if he manages to find his confidence Carroll has the potential to be a handful if coupled with the right partner up front.

View the full article and discussion as well as more articles at my website Blog LFC, please leave your thoughts

 

Simple answer is NO i dont think he should start for liverpool or england

 

Why not, there's no better English Centre Forwrad at the present. Whilst he has not achieved as much as we would want he's still young and has the potential to be a major threat for both club and country

 

I don't think so.
He is not a flop, that many people will make out he is. Those that make out he his are Manchester United fans. He needs to learn with Liverpool he's no longer the main man like he was at Newcastle, and he has to adapt himself to Liverpools style of play, which is a lot different to Newcastles. This was always going to take time.
The only ones that won't give him that time are rival fans and the media who will scrutinise his every move because of something he himself had no control over, and that was the price-tag.
They will use it as a stick to beat him with.
Should he start for England, my answer is no, not until he's adapted himself at club level.

 

No he certainly should not. You can say I'm bitter but 3 goals in 10 months is a pathetic return. Agbonlahor/Welbeck/Bent are all playing better (off the top of my head), as well as Rooney of course.

 

You forgot to mention a number of things.
He was injured for at least five of those months, and he had to integrate himself into his new club. Neither of those mentioned have had that to contend with.
Rooney won't be starting any games. As if he'll be missed anyway. When it comes to major tournaments. Rooney disappears quicker than he does out of a brothel when Coleen rings him on his mobile.

 

Well if he isnt performing for Liverpool and/or isnt fit, there's no way he should be in the national team.

 

No, is not in good enough form.

 

This
But he can be first choice, but more likely to be a Rooney and Welbeck front 2