Anfield can be an intimidating place for the best of players, but sometimes, even the club's own players can feel 'overawed' by the responsibility and expectation associated with wearing the famous red shirt. Liverpool legend Steve Nicol believes this might be the case with Andy Carroll, but he's called on the beleaguered striker to 'get over it'.
Carroll put in another ineffective performance against Stoke at the weekend as Liverpool were held to a disappointing goalless draw at Anfield. Speaking on ESPN, Nicol was less than impressed with the big man's efforts:
"Liverpool bought Carroll because of his power in the air, and the trouble he would cause defenders, but how long do you keep putting in the same players who keep missing chances?
"If it's a defender who keeps costing you goals you get him out of there, and eventually, you have to do that with the forwards.
"Carroll is 23 years old - is he just overawed at the present time? There have been players who've gone to Anfield with bigger reputations than him and just haven't been able to hack it.
"Maybe that's what his problem is now, and if it is, he certainly has to get over it".
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop joined Nicol on the ESPN panel, and he blamed Carroll's underwhelming impact on the lack of quality service from Liverpool's attacking players:
"I worry for Andy Carroll playing as a lone striker in this liverpool set-up. I just don't feel that they have enough pace down the wings.
"Let's be honest, Carroll feeds off the ball from wide areas. Suarez is completely different - he wants the ball into feet where he can spin and turn, and that's where I feel Liverpool's midfield are at their best.
"Whether he gets a run of games or not, I think Carroll will be starved of the service that he needs".
Jaimie Kanwar
Carroll put in another ineffective performance against Stoke at the weekend as Liverpool were held to a disappointing goalless draw at Anfield. Speaking on ESPN, Nicol was less than impressed with the big man's efforts:
"Liverpool bought Carroll because of his power in the air, and the trouble he would cause defenders, but how long do you keep putting in the same players who keep missing chances?
"If it's a defender who keeps costing you goals you get him out of there, and eventually, you have to do that with the forwards.
"Carroll is 23 years old - is he just overawed at the present time? There have been players who've gone to Anfield with bigger reputations than him and just haven't been able to hack it.
"Maybe that's what his problem is now, and if it is, he certainly has to get over it".
Former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop joined Nicol on the ESPN panel, and he blamed Carroll's underwhelming impact on the lack of quality service from Liverpool's attacking players:
"I worry for Andy Carroll playing as a lone striker in this liverpool set-up. I just don't feel that they have enough pace down the wings.
"Let's be honest, Carroll feeds off the ball from wide areas. Suarez is completely different - he wants the ball into feet where he can spin and turn, and that's where I feel Liverpool's midfield are at their best.
"Whether he gets a run of games or not, I think Carroll will be starved of the service that he needs".
Jaimie Kanwar
Of course, it does not help when every ex player starts commenting on his poor form! You don't see many Man Utd ex players slating current stars when they are struggling. Roy Keane excepted, of course. Carroll is not missing loads of chances, he is hardly getting on the end of any. Whether that is his lack of fitness or us not creating enough, who knows. I have to say that it was ominous when Capello mentioned his fitness in relation to the England squad. He's hardly criticised any other player in this way and those comments about Carroll's preparation should be a worry to everyone at the club. He's dropped out of England contention, after being selected before Crouch and co, but, lately, nothing. So Capello has certainly noticed something since he joined us.
ReplyDeleteWhat kinda of service do you guys reckon?? Stevie,downing,suarez,enrique,charlie,maxi,bellamy and so on were all there to provide the services that he needs,so whatelse??? The best service for carroll is to ask those keeper to dive the opposite side when he take a shot,Even the foreign player can adapt to BPL better than him,At what age does torres,aguero started at BPL?? I know is a little hard on him but for liverpool future i'll have to say i'm sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteCaroll is a square peg ina round hole. Convert him to centre back and see what can we get.
ReplyDeleteDowning and Adam have not done their jobs to create chances for Carroll, they've given him nothing.
ReplyDelete