RA MEDIA

Andy Carroll, Lettuce Leaves and the Judas Priest! Published 20/04/18 on Irons United

The West Ham fandom were primed to pack their bags and set off on their summer holidays early, before the game on Monday night against Stoke City…however the game did not go as planned, Moyes failed to go all out attack and the players struggled to find an opening in the Potters’ defence. A win would have given the Hammers another three vital points that would almost certainly assure another season in the top flight…however a draw gives rise to continuing doubt.

Andy Carroll came on late in the second half and quickly slotted in an equalising goal to save the Hammers’ blushes…so is this the start of the Carroll drive to make the England squad for the World Cup in Russia? Well, that would seem highly unlikely however he is probably the most effective ‘Plan B’ striker the club have at their disposal…when and if he is fit, and the same could be said for England’s purposes.

However, would any national team manager in their right mind risk an injury prone player for the gruelling demands of tournament football and one that has not featured in the England set up for some time…nor for his club for that matter? Well, possibly not however many West Ham fans would fear that David Moyes would now favour a starting presence for Carroll alongside Arnautovic and resort to a ‘long ball-knock down’ game.

The problem with Carroll is that he is not fit and able to play consistently and his physical presence and superiority in the air lends itself to a one dimensional game plan from a manager who repeatedly fails to charge his players to play with creative excellence. However his goal on Monday night, just as his brace against West Bromwich Albion at the turn of the year, would send tongues wagging and lips a flapping. Could this finally be the time that Carroll comes good and be the striker West Ham always hoped he could be?

Unfortunately the fans have been in this position many times before and whilst most would have sympathy for the injury prone striker, they would also be less charitable considering the heinous amount of money his weekly wages amount to. This is purely a ‘bang for your buck’ discussion now! For the amount of productivity he gives in return, he is draining too much of West Ham’s resources that could be spent of another player or even two.

However, there is no denying that Carroll has the potential to be a great impact substitute and Moyes will likely feature him in the remaining games, however to design tactics and formations to suit his primary heading game would be a travesty and would surely hammer the final nail in the Moyes coffin in terms of fans’ approval.

Not since the half season he had at Newcastle United before his big money move to Liverpool has Carroll had any kind of run in a team that has produced consistent goals but he would remain a manager’s favourite given his aerial prowess but also his ability to hold up the ball and not to ignore his considerable skill with his feet.

On paper, it would be difficult to ignore the threat that Carroll poses to the opponents’ defence however many fans would still like to see him sold in the summer and replaced with a younger and more consistent player who would give a more favourable return on the club’s investment. The end of the season beckons now and whilst the focus should still be on survival, one would have to question why the club have not filled the Director of Football position and what would be the likely fate of Moyes come the summer?

Would Moyes or even a new manager wish to retain the services of Carroll and would he feature in the games going forward? Surely discussions would have to be made at the season end between the board and management to decide in which direction they would want to take the football club. Is it purely a results priority or is results and style to be the main focus. Is the club determined to bring back entertaining football and can they ever be successful with a player such as Carroll within their ranks?

The next game this weekend against Arsenal will be another stern test of the West Ham defence, but in Carroll they also have possibly one of the best aerial defenders to cover the penalty area on set pieces. Of course this is an advantage but one would hope that the manager would look to operate on the front foot against a vulnerable Arsenal defence. However, whilst Carroll’s inclusion in the game would almost certainly be guaranteed now, many fans would fear his fragility as that of lettuce leaves that would bruise in the wind and would save their Judas Priests for when he is ruled out for another long term and is sent back to the treatment table.