For some inexplicable reason, Liverpool flop Andy Carroll is still being championed for a place in England's World Cup squad. West Ham boss Sam Allardyce recently argued that Carroll deserves a place, and Stewart Downing has now joined the chorus of deluded voices claiming that the ineffective striker should be on the plane to Brazil. Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson isn't having it, though, and he argues that other players are more deserving.
In early April, Allardyce enthused:
"He [Carroll] is superb in the air, and...if he continues to score, I think it will be difficult for Roy [Hodgson] to ignore him".
Speaking to Sky Sports a few days ago, team-mate Stewart Downing, claimed that 'Roy Hodgson is a big fan' of Carroll, adding:
"Even if he didn't score between now and the end of the season, he is a big threat and I think he [Hodgson] will take him. If you put it in that area, he gets on the end of it. He is a target to hit".
Lawro strongly disagrees with Downing and Allardyce about Carroll's suitability for the World Cup squad, and on Friday, he told the BBC:
"Andy Carroll has done nothing to show he should be in England's World Cup squad and, if you want that type of player, I would take Southampton's Rickie Lambert all day long".
I totally agree with Lawro. Downing's contention that he is 'a target to hit' is the perfect way to describe Carroll's limited talents. His bludgeoning style of play is an anachronism in modern football; it belongs in the 1980s, and is more suited to the rough and tumble of a Sunday League ground.
I still find it incredible (and a little ironic) that Kenny Dalglish - one of LFC's biggest proponents of the 'Liverpool Way' of playing - brought Carroll - the utter antithesis of that approach - to Anfield.
Try as I might, I still can't understand how Dalglish could've legitimately believed that a lolloping, technically bereft lummox of a player like Carroll could take Liverpool forward. Dalglish must surely have seen this scouting footage prior to the transfer?
(Sorry, whenever I see an opportunity to use this image, I have to take it!)
Downing insists that Carroll - who cost West Ham £15m - should get in the squad 'even if he doesn't score between now and the end of the season'. Seriously, what type of skewed logic is that? Players should get into the team on merit, and the plain facts are:
* Carroll has 2 goals in 14 games for West Ham this season.
* West Ham have lost 7 of the last 9 games in which Carroll has played (!).
* Conversely, Lambert has 13 goals/10 assists in 39 games for Southampton.
With those figures in mind, why exactly does Carroll deserve a place over Lambert?
For me, the most frustrating thing about Carroll is his total lack of balance. Whether it's a header, tackle, or just slight pressure from the opposition, he invariable ends up flailing on the deck, and for someone his size, that's embarrassing (but highly amusing).
Having said all that, I really hope Hodgson selects Carroll. As a Scot, there's nothing I enjoy more than seeing England crash and burn at international tournaments, and having Carroll lurching around the field like a donkey against the likes Italy will certainly help to achieve that :-)
Author: Jaimie K
In early April, Allardyce enthused:
"He [Carroll] is superb in the air, and...if he continues to score, I think it will be difficult for Roy [Hodgson] to ignore him".
Speaking to Sky Sports a few days ago, team-mate Stewart Downing, claimed that 'Roy Hodgson is a big fan' of Carroll, adding:
"Even if he didn't score between now and the end of the season, he is a big threat and I think he [Hodgson] will take him. If you put it in that area, he gets on the end of it. He is a target to hit".
Lawro strongly disagrees with Downing and Allardyce about Carroll's suitability for the World Cup squad, and on Friday, he told the BBC:
"Andy Carroll has done nothing to show he should be in England's World Cup squad and, if you want that type of player, I would take Southampton's Rickie Lambert all day long".
I totally agree with Lawro. Downing's contention that he is 'a target to hit' is the perfect way to describe Carroll's limited talents. His bludgeoning style of play is an anachronism in modern football; it belongs in the 1980s, and is more suited to the rough and tumble of a Sunday League ground.
I still find it incredible (and a little ironic) that Kenny Dalglish - one of LFC's biggest proponents of the 'Liverpool Way' of playing - brought Carroll - the utter antithesis of that approach - to Anfield.
Try as I might, I still can't understand how Dalglish could've legitimately believed that a lolloping, technically bereft lummox of a player like Carroll could take Liverpool forward. Dalglish must surely have seen this scouting footage prior to the transfer?
(Sorry, whenever I see an opportunity to use this image, I have to take it!)
Downing insists that Carroll - who cost West Ham £15m - should get in the squad 'even if he doesn't score between now and the end of the season'. Seriously, what type of skewed logic is that? Players should get into the team on merit, and the plain facts are:
* Carroll has 2 goals in 14 games for West Ham this season.
* West Ham have lost 7 of the last 9 games in which Carroll has played (!).
* Conversely, Lambert has 13 goals/10 assists in 39 games for Southampton.
With those figures in mind, why exactly does Carroll deserve a place over Lambert?
For me, the most frustrating thing about Carroll is his total lack of balance. Whether it's a header, tackle, or just slight pressure from the opposition, he invariable ends up flailing on the deck, and for someone his size, that's embarrassing (but highly amusing).
Having said all that, I really hope Hodgson selects Carroll. As a Scot, there's nothing I enjoy more than seeing England crash and burn at international tournaments, and having Carroll lurching around the field like a donkey against the likes Italy will certainly help to achieve that :-)
Author: Jaimie K
Ricky Lambert is a much better striker IMO.
ReplyDeleteSuarez voted PFA player of the year. Well done Luis!
ReplyDeleteNow win the goddamn league.
ReplyDeleteBelieve!
ReplyDeleteThe last time Carroll played for England was back in 2012 so I just cannot see how he is going to make that squad.
ReplyDeleteIf anything it will be Sturridge, Lambert, Rooney and Welbeck.
If Carroll scores the winner for west ham against city he can gladly go the World Cup in my book :)
ReplyDeleteCarroll is out of form and for that reason only he does not deserve a place in the squad. He can be a good player and is far better than you say he is. He does offer an aerial threat that no other player in the premier league does. As a Scot you offer the usual jaundiced , stereotypical anti English crap. The sooner you lot get independence the better. It will be a joy watching you crash and burn.
ReplyDeleteHero status :-o
ReplyDeleteJust imagine if he got his big head on a ball & nutted one in the net, Andy Carroll, king of the Kop :)))
ReplyDeleteIF we are going to take a 'big' forward type, I would much rather see Lambert in the team.
ReplyDeleteJohn Lennon said, making plans is what people do while God laughs. Predicting a Reds league win makes Mourino laugh.
ReplyDeleteAllardyce would say that. The man has a footbaling brain straight out of the sixties. England, as every team in the world, needs to have one gameplan and stick to it. The battering ram approach to force a win does not work. That's how England get hit on the break so much in tight games. It's bad enough if Danny Wellbeck is a serious option for your squad. No need to make it worse by bringing Carrol. I'd go with Sturridge with Lallana around him like Suarez does at LFC.
ReplyDeleteHey JK, I would ask for you not to respond to this kind of tripe. Ive been reading your articles for a long time now, some I agree wholeheartedly with, some not so much, but every article has the odd one or two (or 20-30) very ignorant posters. I agree with PT that Carroll is out of form and the current stats do not really reflect his quality, I do however, stop short of saying that in his best vein of form, he would be England quality, because that would be lying. He is at best a West Ham first teamer. Your England strikers (even 3rd and 4th choice) should be starters for top/mid table premier league sides. Sturridge? Top of the league starter. Welbeck and Rooney? midtable startes (heehee). Carroll? relegation fodder. I'd honestly be going for either Jay Rodriguez, Connor Wickham, Rickie Lambert, who all look a hell of a lot better on the pitch, and Jay would be my pick as a backup.
ReplyDeletePT, don't turn this into a racial thing, because your accusations of racial hatred from the scots to the english is only borne of your own racial preconceptions. It saddens me how football - the game of the world, the game of beauty, of love, of passion, one that has transcended even the limits of religion in some parts - descends into hatred, vilification and pretty much bullying as soon as it hits the comments sections. Whether it is between rival nations, clubs or even to other supporters of your own club, there is no honour or true compatriotism, just the bile that you spit between yourselves via your keyboards, regurgitating overused and contextually inaccurate catchphrases like "ticky tacky", "classless" and making up imaginative nicknames like 'liverfools' or 'chelsh!t'.
Let the game be about what it's meant to be about. Enjoy that moment in every game where you say 'surely stevie cant make that pass' or 'no way can Sterling get past him' or 'no way, sturridge is rubbish with his right foot' and they continue to stun and astonish. Enjoy those moments, let them be the point of the game, live in them and you wont have time to hate on each other.
/End Rant.
Benj DownUnder
PS: At least your comments section isn't as bad as ESPNs... :) Love your work JK
I would choose Connor Wickham over Andy Carroll. He has been bagginig a brace for the past few games. On current form he should be considered over Wellbeck.
ReplyDeleteCompletely agree if Carroll goes England will just hoof it upfield for 90 minutes, if the go down that route Italy and Uruguay will smash them
ReplyDeletehaving one game plan and sticking with it ? really ? like liverpool did yesterday, how did that work out. You need a plan B and, here's the key part, it needs to be different from your plan A.
ReplyDeletefor a short term emergency battering ram plan B carrol would be ok, as would wickham. Lambert is too slow.
I think you are being a bit harsh with the horse vid. I have looked at it a few times and the horse has at least two good touches before it falls over. On average this is two good touches more than AC ever manages.
ReplyDeleteI know it's not his fault but every time I see Carroll play it makes me angry. I mean 35 million??? How... Why... How much??? Downing saying he's a target to hit? What the hell does Stewart downing know about hitting targets? I'm also a scot and so I too hope England take Carroll however. I struggle to see how Carroll is good enough to play in the premier league far less a World Cup
ReplyDeleteWell said mate
ReplyDeleteAn aerial threat like no other? He's playing in a team that totally plays to his strength, does nothing but put high balls into the box yet he's scored 2 goals. How many headers has skrtel scored this season? He'd do a better job up front than Carroll. Quicker, better touch, better passer and scores more goals
ReplyDeleteCarroll would be a good option cos lambert is too slow? Have you seen Andy Carroll run?
ReplyDeleteHaha. The horse looked more graceful when it fell than Carroll does in possession
ReplyDeleteFeel sorry for Jay Rodriguez, would have been my choice all day long. Rickie Lambert over Carrol.
ReplyDeleteManchester City's form at Goodison Park. LLLLWLDLLDDLLDL
ReplyDeleteAll is not lost....
As a WHU fan I can honestly say Carrols done nothing to claim his place,I agree Lambert is a much better option.
ReplyDeleteEven a draw would do! COME ON EVERTON!!!!
ReplyDeleteJust watch, half the Goodison crowd will be Liverpool fans with their family/friends
ReplyDeletejock, I didn't say Carrol was nippy, I said lambert was too slow. There are very few lightning fast 6'4" monsters (you can't have yaya in the england team) I'd put my 50p on Carrol outrunning Lambert although I'm not certain I'd stay awake for the whole 100m.
ReplyDeleteHoof like it
ReplyDeleteIt would certainly be a drab affair
ReplyDeleteI'd rather have Crouch than Handy Andy
ReplyDeleteBe careful there mate, we need Carroll and the boys to park the bus against city.
ReplyDeleteWhatever you want mate. I hope you enjoy your battering ram the three games it will get you before you crash out at the group stage
ReplyDeleteIt was a horrible mistake by Dalglish, that's for sure, but just as Carroll is a player who belongs in the past Dalglish had his head stuck in the past when he made that move. Sure, Carroll had had a solid first half of the season, but what Dalglish wanted was Keegan and Toshack reincarnated...he thought the little man big man partnership would still work in the modern game, he had his little man in Suarez and money to burn and thought hey, look there's a young big man doing well! Deadline day move, research probably wasn't done as thoroughly as it should have been, appease the fans after selling Torres, etc.
ReplyDeleteCarroll has 4 assists to go with those 2 goals, which btw came from 42 shots. That is an abysmal record...no surprise that the only ones championing him for an England spot are his teammate and manager. There's no doubt he can cause a lot of problems in the box, but there's also no doubt he isn't much of a footballer.
I agree with your assessment of Lambert, [ another scouser, by the way.] He is as strong in the air as Carrolline, much better on the ground, and has a footballing brain. Thanks Jamie, for pointing out, that we Sassenach's annoy you in the international arena; we take great heart from the fact that the JOCKS are very rarely there.
ReplyDeleteLol love this artical. What I can't believe is how many LFC fans were on BRs case when he got rid of him! What a poor player for LFC a simple battering ram. You can see his poor technique in the clip above. Didn't Downing recently criticise the LFC dressing room? Claiming there's a more 'togetherness' at West Ham... We are top of the league last time I looked and West ham are stuck 'together' in the 18th century with Chelski.
ReplyDeletePeople won't like me saying it but Dalglish started signing duds in his first spell in charge. That's why we fell off our perch. David Speedie? Please!
ReplyDeleteAye its pretty common sense - caroll may prove to be a half decent striker in the future but at the moment he isnt doing it in team built for his "talents". Lambert is a class act both as a front target man (assists), gets goals himself from open play and can also score free kicks and penalties.
ReplyDeleteIn the 14 games carol has this season he has shown none of those.
Downing for some reason was flogging a dead horse.
But with Hodgson you never know. How he ever became england manager is beyond me. He can pick the whole liverpool team and he still wont play like liverpool - way to wimbledonish for international football.
Did Chelsea have a plan B against LFC. NO.......it was a two bus affair, which they stuck with throughout the game. Shame on Mourihno, he should have decided to get off the bus, after they scored their first goal(which was a gimme anyway) and set the rest of the game up for a memorable spectacle. Instead LFC knocked their collective heads against a brick wall (two buses) and the game was a tragedy for paying fans.
ReplyDelete