I understand - however Barca and Spain didn't just implement this style of play overnight. It's taken over a decade to implement and now they are reaping the rewards, and we have to start sometime. I truly believe Rafa was shaping us up in a similar way (creating the foundations, overhauling the acadamy to play in a way similar to the first team) but unfortunately he wasn't allowed to carry on his vision. I agree about great managers having the ability to change their tactics but if things get tough, it's not about getting the ball to the wingers and crossing aimlessly into the box or lumping the ball up to the big man. It's about moving the current players into slightly different positions but staying true to the philosophy by passing and moving. If you look at Spain and Barca, they stick to the same tactics but they might bring someone else on who may have a bit more pace and can be more direct (Pedro). But obviously, you need the personnel to do this. It won't be perfect at the start but Rodgers is building this and it will take a little while. If Carroll leaves, then we can expect another striker coming in as well Borini (Tony Evans from the Times).
Again, I agreed but surely it is better to have an alternative option for those situation. I realise we are talking once in ten games or more here so I suppose it is about weighing it up finding the balance, is it worth sacrificing a transfer fee and paying Carroll's wages to have that option every now and again?
True - I'm just giving reasons as to why Rodgers wants to get rid of him. Personally, I don't see the benefit of getting rid of Carroll as he does give us a Plan B and I'm sure we can command a much higher fee for a player who is starting hit form.
I think that most of us have come to like Andy and don't want to see him leave but also understand that Rodgers has a philosophy which Carroll could struggle to fit into. I just don't want to see him going to another another Premier League club because you can guarantee he will terrorise us at some point
Exactly! Plus, we have an English striker who is pretty much in demand. We got screwed with the 'premiums' attached to such players that we bought and I think it's time that take advantage of it ourselves!
Absolutely agree. I think we have come to like him because we could see much more potential since he came in to a bit of form. I know Lucaaas made the argument this morning (and it is a fair point) that Prem footy has changed a lot over the last decade and maybe there will come a time when the "typical English centre forward" will not be so effective but it's also worth considering that there are still a lot of "typical English centre backs" around in the game who absolutely hate playing against players like Carroll and Crouchy etc. I agree that long term he might not be the answer especially if he is looking totally out of place in the new system but for now I still think he can be a valuable asset even if we do sign another striker along with what looks like the imminent arrival of Borini. Use Andy for at least another twelve months because as we witnessed all too evidently last year new players can take time to settle and we also could begin to look more vulnerable from set pieces again which no one can deny Andy is very useful at defending. I honestly think he could get us 15-20 goals in league and cup next year even playing a lot of games off the bench plus we have Europey to contend with as well as the domestic competitions so I still think it will be mad to effectively weaken the squad and strengthen another Prem team at the same time.
