I know this is one of many threads, but I wanted to properly lay out all of the positives.
First of all, I know, Carroll has gone. I'm incredibly shocked and I don't know how he can bring himself to train, play and score for Liverpool in the same way he did for us. Once I see him do that, it will probably really sink in just how much he betrayed us and just how little he really cared about being a hero for his club. This is of course assuming that his transfer request was genuine.
Anyway, however:
• Ever since Carroll was injured, we've been on an unbeaten EPL run since the start of the New Year against Tottenham, Sunderland, West Ham and Wigan. We could have actually won every single match if it wasn't for the last minute injury time slip ups which allowed them to equalised and cost us the win. We were REALLY close to going on a winning streak, and that was even without Tiote for two of them!
• Soon, we could have our usual squad along with Ben Arfa, Ireland and Gosling. They're all capable goalscorers. To be honest, I feel we lack a whole squad of players who can score goals as a team. Apart from our strikers, there's only really Nolan who contributes a significant amount, with Barton not far behind. Now, we'll have Nolan, Barton, Ben Arfa and Ireland has proven midfield goalscorers. To be honest, if they all maintain their form (and Ireland gets his back) I can see our midfield outscoring our strikers and carrying us into safety. If you add the strikers goals on top of the midfielders goals (and there will be some), we could rack up an impressive goal tally and win games. The days of needing Carroll to get us on the scoreboard is well and truly over.
• The rest of the team are looking more and more like scoring everyday. Coloccini pocketed himself one and seems more threatening when he's allowed to move up the field. Steven Taylor also looks like he could nab himself a goal or two someday when he's fit again. Jose Enrique has also looked threatening at times.
• We don't NEED to fit into a mould now. Previously, we NEEDED wingers or someone to deliver balls up to Carroll. Now, that strategy isn't so important. We can put two strikers up there to stretch the defence and work on tactics involving our very creative midfield to score goals. I can actually envisage much more creative playing now he's gone.
• Don't forget our existing players. Simpson, Taylor/Williamson, Coloccini and Enrique - a rock solid defence.
Nolan, Barton, Gosling, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Ireland, Tiote - In my opinion, one of the best midfield squads in the premier league in both attacking and defensive ability. Seriously. This is especially true if Ireland re-discovers his form and Gosling turns out to be a good fast player.
Ameobi, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Best - Not the greatest strikeforce in the world, but they can score goals, and the are better than some teams out there. There's also superb potential in Ranger, and if he can find his way quicker than we expect, then we could have a regular scoring striker on our hands before the season is over.
• Is it a good team without Carroll? YES. Can we reach a top 10 place with this team? YES.
• Thanks to Carroll, we now have 35 million quid in the bank. I know, I know Ashley won't give us all of it, but if we have at least some kind of warchest in the Summer, we can perhaps bring in a good striker or two to bolster our only weak area. Not long now folks. It'll fly by, and if there was ever a time for us to have cash during the summer transfer market, it'll be this year. Plus, with a boost to club earnings like this, Ashley may be less likely to think about selling some of our other key players for the foreseeable future.
Chin up guys. Unless the future brings something unexpected, we're not doing too bad at all and much better than I thought we would be at the start of the season. Carroll can go where he likes because I think we'll get on by just fine without him.
First of all, I know, Carroll has gone. I'm incredibly shocked and I don't know how he can bring himself to train, play and score for Liverpool in the same way he did for us. Once I see him do that, it will probably really sink in just how much he betrayed us and just how little he really cared about being a hero for his club. This is of course assuming that his transfer request was genuine.
Anyway, however:
• Ever since Carroll was injured, we've been on an unbeaten EPL run since the start of the New Year against Tottenham, Sunderland, West Ham and Wigan. We could have actually won every single match if it wasn't for the last minute injury time slip ups which allowed them to equalised and cost us the win. We were REALLY close to going on a winning streak, and that was even without Tiote for two of them!
• Soon, we could have our usual squad along with Ben Arfa, Ireland and Gosling. They're all capable goalscorers. To be honest, I feel we lack a whole squad of players who can score goals as a team. Apart from our strikers, there's only really Nolan who contributes a significant amount, with Barton not far behind. Now, we'll have Nolan, Barton, Ben Arfa and Ireland has proven midfield goalscorers. To be honest, if they all maintain their form (and Ireland gets his back) I can see our midfield outscoring our strikers and carrying us into safety. If you add the strikers goals on top of the midfielders goals (and there will be some), we could rack up an impressive goal tally and win games. The days of needing Carroll to get us on the scoreboard is well and truly over.
• The rest of the team are looking more and more like scoring everyday. Coloccini pocketed himself one and seems more threatening when he's allowed to move up the field. Steven Taylor also looks like he could nab himself a goal or two someday when he's fit again. Jose Enrique has also looked threatening at times.
• We don't NEED to fit into a mould now. Previously, we NEEDED wingers or someone to deliver balls up to Carroll. Now, that strategy isn't so important. We can put two strikers up there to stretch the defence and work on tactics involving our very creative midfield to score goals. I can actually envisage much more creative playing now he's gone.
• Don't forget our existing players. Simpson, Taylor/Williamson, Coloccini and Enrique - a rock solid defence.
Nolan, Barton, Gosling, Jonas, Ben Arfa, Ireland, Tiote - In my opinion, one of the best midfield squads in the premier league in both attacking and defensive ability. Seriously. This is especially true if Ireland re-discovers his form and Gosling turns out to be a good fast player.
Ameobi, Ranger, Lovenkrands, Best - Not the greatest strikeforce in the world, but they can score goals, and the are better than some teams out there. There's also superb potential in Ranger, and if he can find his way quicker than we expect, then we could have a regular scoring striker on our hands before the season is over.
• Is it a good team without Carroll? YES. Can we reach a top 10 place with this team? YES.
• Thanks to Carroll, we now have 35 million quid in the bank. I know, I know Ashley won't give us all of it, but if we have at least some kind of warchest in the Summer, we can perhaps bring in a good striker or two to bolster our only weak area. Not long now folks. It'll fly by, and if there was ever a time for us to have cash during the summer transfer market, it'll be this year. Plus, with a boost to club earnings like this, Ashley may be less likely to think about selling some of our other key players for the foreseeable future.
Chin up guys. Unless the future brings something unexpected, we're not doing too bad at all and much better than I thought we would be at the start of the season. Carroll can go where he likes because I think we'll get on by just fine without him.
Very good post!
