Terrifictraore. Welcome aboard,having left 606.I had a few names on 606 so you may recall me as StevieCarraPepeandElnino. Enjoy the forum.
A lot depends on Gerrard's presence in the team again, he will set the example. Whether it's straight crosses from deep to the centre, through balls from an advanced position or the occasional out-swinging cross from the flanks (more often than not the right) there will be very little emphasis on "hoofing". Nothing against finding the last man through the long ball when there's 10 minutes to go and the game isn't won. Carroll will be able to put that side of his game to good use, knock-downs to Kuyt or Suarez bombing into the box, or Meireles/Gerrard having a pop on the half-volley. People underestimate how strong he is. I remember a vid being uploaded of his performance against (eurgh, can't for the life of me remember the team) and the strength and (perhaps surprisingly) speed he showed was quite impressive. He's fast enough when fit, but will require good service to feet, as despite being quite quick, his ability to accelerate seems poor. People can argue about his qualities and price tag until the cows come home, but the fact is he is an option up front and a great option at that. Choices of whether or not to have him up front alone, with a partner, the furthermost forward prong of a front three with Kuyt right and Suarez left, or left on the bench for Kuyt, Maxi and Suarez to get on at once are all much better decisions to make than "shall we give Torres a pain-killing injection or not?". Let him recover, give him some time. Be it through assists, goals or creating time and space for others to do the business, I believe he'll come good. Strong, good with his feet, can be used as a target man, a genuine threat when we're taking corners, a useful asset defending corners and free kicks, quite quick when fully fit, a rocket of a left foot......yet some are complaining. Carroll and Suarez is a massive upgrade on Torres and Babel. Accept this!
Overrated by? And his ratings can only be based on his current spell in charge, which had us at 2nd in the table. So if people are calling him the second best manager in the PL on CURRENT form, the stats show that he is.
