Andy Carroll: North East Star Heads West

 

 

Andy Carroll’s Liverpool FC career was destined to fail when the delusional and erratic Kenny Dalglish gambled on a man with limited playing experience, a history of off-the-field problems (including then Newcastle United captain Kevin Nolan’s car being fire bombed), and more stupid hair styles than career goals.

Carroll had scored a total of 34 goals before the Liverpool supremo splashed $50 million dollars on the player, 19 of them in the second tier of English football. Liverpool so clearly wanted him out of the club, they didn’t even secure a clear replacement and are now linked to former legend but now Judas Michael Owen.

Carroll’s old-school British centre-forward style was never going to fit in with Brendan Rodgers’ Tiki-Taka, creative and ultra-mobile style, but could Liverpool’s financial loss be West Ham United‘s on-field gain?

Andy Carroll and Allardyce are no strangers, with Big Sam managing Carroll during his eight-month tenure on Tyneside. What is evident is that Sam’s direct style will suit  Andy Carroll’s strengths perfectly. West Ham slugged their way back into the EPL with the same philosophy, with Carlton Cole Spearheading the attack. The issue with Cole is he picked up all the poor traits of his ex-Chelsea FC teammate Didier Drogba, by attempting to give David Boudia a diving master class.

The North East’s prodigal son, however, is a different proposition, and whatever Carroll’s misgivings are, he relishes a battle. If anything can be read into the 6’3” hit man’s debut, then the Hammers fans can look forward to the prospect of another season in the EPL.

Saturday’s set up was clear from the first whistle, direct angled passes into the forward with runners from deep picking up the second ball. Carroll did well winning a total of 9 out of 15 headers and the midfield picked up the second ball exceptionally. West Ham’s Kevin Nolan thrived at Newcastle with Carroll’s dominant leap and it looks as if the relationship will continue well at Upton Park.

West Ham have always prided themselves on their cultured style of play, producing a long list of England’s most technically gifted internationals, however the fans of the Irons have constantly suffered and have become as bitter as the vinegar on their jellied eels. With Allardyce in charge and players who understand and thrive under his philosophy, West Ham may have sacrificed style for substance and the fans can finally exhale calmly through mid-table obscurity.