In fact he should be starting in every game. I know a lot of people (including me at times) have not been rating him as a Liverpool player, but it's really hard to judge someone who isn't a £35m striker that was bought for £35m. He has started in 3 of the last 5 premier league matches, he gave a MOTM performance against Wolves and scored in the other two. I have never agreed that he is one dimensional and all he can only offer is a good head because in most of his games he shows that he has a thunderous left foot and often hits the target with it. We should give the lad time and I'm sure he will prove to us that "he doesn't fit our system" is a myth because we have played just as good, if not better when we start with him. Except the Spurs game when not surprisingly his role was eradicated early on. He is never going to be a £35m player but he will be a good one I'm sure.
I doubt that Kenny is going to change his philosophy of using the strength of the squad just to give Carroll match time. If he is selected as a starter then it will be because Kenny believes that he fits the attacking strategy that he wants to employ for that game.
He gets a majorly tough time from the press and opposition fans because they have an agenda. Yes he hasn't been great in some games, but in others he's actually played well, and with a bit more luck (disallowed goal against Sunderland, hitting the post against wolves etc) then there would be much less pressure on him. Players who rely on pace often are well into their stride by Carroll's age, but he is having to learn how to use his strength and size against wily old premier league defenders. He's also getting used to a new style of football, hence like you say his link up play is improving, and he's also got completely new expectations. One of the other main things is him learning to play with Suarez. Suarez may have gotten an assist yesterday but he can often be quite selfish and i think when those two click and Luis stops playing like a lone front man quite as much Andy will do better. Carroll had two great lay-offs yesterday that should have been goals were it not for poor finishing, so he is beginning to fit in, he just needs a bit of luck and some help from his team mates. I think sometimes our fans need to stop worrying about his price tag and just enjoy the fact we've managed to get a very unique player who at worst case will give us the option we always wished Crouch had given us. United won the league when they could afford to have either Tevez or Berbatov on the bench, we need to be in a position where it's a good thing Carroll is on the bench sometimes.
True, also pace strikers tend not to last as long, look at scumbag Owen and the decline over the last few years of the other traitor Torres. Both players made it big and hit their peak form at a very young age but by the time they reached their late 20s both players looked jaded and by that stage in their careers its difficult to change your style of play if 90% of your game is based on running really fast. Players of Carrolls ilk tend not to reach a peak until late 20s, early 30s and also last long playing at the top level at an older age. No one had heard of Drogba until he was 27ish and even now at 33 he is still a top striker. Carroll is often compared to Shearer who also didnt really start to hit his peak until mid 20s and lasted to 36. Back on topic, if Carroll is playing well and applying himself in training then I think he should start. Cant just judge him on goals alone as he is the type of play who will become more prolific with age
Saturday was a little bit Toshack-Keegan-esque in so much that they played as a strike unit instead of individuals and were choosing putting their partner through/sending high balls in instead of taking the greedy option. Very encouraging.
I was at the game on Saturday and one thing that impressed me with Carroll was his movement and intelligence which is not something he is regularly praised for. He was also taking up positions with much more urgency than I have seen in him. On the few displays I've seen I've got no doubt he will be a fantastic player.
Carroll was really good on the weekend and on a few other appearences this season. He will surely start with Suarez against Swansea. My only problem with him is his first touch, he is great otherwise.
His first touch was iffy for the goal, but he recovered well and slotted nicely. Everyone played well on Saturday. The defence in particular was excellent.
What? Thought you heard? WBA were robbed by the ref........ We played them off the park and it was good to see us go for it, still wish we would have thumped them though.
Carroll's been distinctly average since he came to us and only shown, on a couple of occasions, flashes of brilliance. Yes he was good against WBA but who wasn't? I'm quite happy for him to bide his time on the bench but KK will begin to feel the pressure of his price tag should we go on a bad run. I hope Carroll matures well and becomes a bully upfront. My fear is that he will be a big big flop.
here's some facts. 1. some players... oh like suarez NEVER get dropped 2. carroll deserved a bit of bench time 3. we badly need him playing better so the only way is to play him! FOr me we need to start our best option and for god sake don't ever think kuyt is that!
