Think hes gettin too involved in the build up. For me he should be in the box and stay there Anyone agree!!
The combination is all wrong, when Carroll gets his head to the ball no-one is anywhere near him. Basic big man little man is for the 2nd striker to be 5 yards from the big man to take a chance of him getting a head to the ball.
He deserved his goal, because he was in the thick of the action for the entire 90 minutes. Slowly but surely he's getting used to Liverpool and Liverpool are getting used to him. When he scored that was the first time, Enrique got past the last man and put a decent ball near him to finish with his left foot. It sat perfectly, not too far out, and not too near the keeper. Suarez goal was all about persistence and he deserved it for persistence.
I thought he was actually pretty useless (understatement!) up until his goal. After that, he was causing problems for the defenders and the keeper in the box which is what I expect from him all the time! Seems to have gained confidence from the goal and I hope he can push on from there.
It's a difficult one for me, because even when he isn't scoring goals, I can see his thirst and anguish for goals and to be involved in the play, which I think is very good as there are players who hide in a hole when they aren't getting goals. For me the lad is coming into his stride now!
I agree with the OP. He looks so sluggish trying to pass and run past players. He should only be playing on both boxes defensively and offensively.
In the last couple of games I cannot fault his effort. He deserved his goal due to the amount of effort he has put in, and Kenny is happy with him and thats the most important thing, and his goal was well taken. I'm delighted he scored.
i thought andy carroll played very well today and its was great to see him score a vey important goal
Yeah I agree with this, even though his touch seems to have deserted him this season he is still trying to get involved in the play and trying his best to shake it off. As others have pointed out this is not his game so when the team get it right he will be very effective. The amount of times he was on the wing with the ball was really frustrating and also how many times could downing have delivered a ball (what we bought him to do) but instead get closed down or turn away.
I am so hoping he comes good but understand the doubters feelings. This season it has seemed his second touch has been a tackle! However, he does offer us something that none of our other attacking options do. He will continue to struggle with the price tag but it was a January window last-minute buy. Yes, £35 m was too expensive but we needed options and he provides them.
I wonder if Lee Dixon hangs around here because that's exactly ho he worded it on MOTD. Or maybe you are Lee Dixon....
Your right I just had the same thought when I read it. Who would have thought Lee Dixon would get his script from the Liverpool forum!!!!!
I think we should be looking to get the ball into his feet around the penalty area instead of always hitting it to his head, surely with his size and strength he'll be able to hold off and turn a defender to get a shot in and he's shown what a good finisher he is with his left foot
I didn't see football focus, so I haven't reguritated anything. If myself and Lee Dixon share an opinion then thats okay.
As Kenny said Andy Carroll is here for years, not a few games. That's why we're not making ourselves a carbon copy of Newcastle of last season to get the best out of him right away, we're actually working with him to be effective in Kenny's pass and move philosophy. His touch and involvement in short passing play is improving and he's actually made a couple of really good passes in the last 2 games. He's starting to look sharper, he's getting more aware of the team and these things will take time to all come together. If Javier Hernandez had done the same everyone would be saying he's an amazing poacher and he's in the team for goals. Carroll contributed as much as Hernandez ever does in the build-up and got his goal in a Merseyside derby, which is great. There's plenty of lame fickle fans on here who don't understand just what a rough diamond Andy is. 10 league starts, 3 league goals, lots of mitigating factors, get behind the guy and have some faith.
When Andy Carroll was with Newcastle, He was the main man, he was the focal point, he was their main threat, at Liverpool...he isn't. He's had to learn to adapt himself slightly and become more persistent when it comes to annoying defenders. He's been doing that recently and it paid off yesterday. Maybe just maybe and don't quote me on this, Craig Bellamy whom although is as mad as a box of frogs, is one of the most beligerent players in football is being a good influence on him. Maybe Andy Carroll watches how Bellamy trains and how he closes defenders down and he keeps them on their toes, thats Bellamys natural game. It may be growing on him, he's started to do that. He's started pushing defenders back. Here's on example, even though it didn't result in a goal, Carroll made a nuisance out of himself. He forced Howard to tip the ball over the bar because he pressurised him. The more pressure he puts on defenders will mean he will score more goals.
I thought he looked a lot better, without being specacular. I think it is just a case of getting used to each others playing style. The wide men need to work on where Carroll wants the ball when crossed in. I think it was mentioned that a lot of his goals for Newcastle came from crosses from deep (Man City last year) and not when players got to the line (even though yesterdays was). I don't think he should be the one dropping deep and linking up play though as he isn't good enough for that (yet) but hopefully with Gerrard back he can be the one to do that with Suarez and leave Carroll in the box.
Carroll was far from useless. He isn't the type of player to run past defenders but he made a nuisance of himself and he is actually very useful to have back defending corners.
