Andy Carroll’s return to Newcastle United won’t come as the greatest surprise to many.
I don’t know whether he’s on pay as you play or something a little more substantial but whichever way you look at it he is a lucky boy.
For me that a boss as experienced as Steve Bruce – once, ironically, employed by Gold and Sullivan – should decide to take him home is I reckon pretty good PR and a successful move in playing to the gallery.
The fans love a local hero and AC will forever be that to the St James’ Park faithful. Clever move from SB but there surely can’t be any other serious motives for taking him.
I may never have been much of a fan but I do wish the bloke luck and when I look at his injury record below in cold black and white it is crystal he’s gonna need all of that and a lot more besides.
It shows that since he joined us on the six year deal back in 2013, he missed more games than he played through injury – 137 – and was unavailable for 116 days, or just over three years.
He made a total of 102 appearances scoring 26 times.
You have to feel for the guy but as a Hammers fan I want my key players on the pitch all the time and the AC signing turned into a modern footballing tragedy for him and us.
Here’s the horrible injury record as recorded @ https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andy-carroll/verletzungen/spieler/48066 since that fateful day in 2013 when Sam Allardyce made the decision to buy him.
| 18/19 | Ankle Surgery | Mar 9, 2019 | Jun 30, 2019 | 113 days | 9 |
| 18/19 | Ankle Surgery | Jul 12, 2018 | Nov 22, 2018 | 133 days | 15 |
| 17/18 | Injury to the ankle | Jan 6, 2018 | Apr 15, 2018 | 99 days | 13 |
| 16/17 | Groin Injury | Apr 15, 2017 | Sep 11, 2017 | 149 days | 11 |
| 16/17 | Groin Injury | Feb 4, 2017 | Mar 6, 2017 | 30 days | 4 |
| 16/17 | Knee Injury | Aug 18, 2016 | Dec 2, 2016 | 106 days | 17 |
| 15/16 | Unknown Injury | Jan 12, 2016 | Feb 3, 2016 | 22 days | 5 |
| 14/15 | Medial Collateral Ligament Knee Injury | Feb 12, 2015 | Sep 14, 2015 | 214 days | 25 |
| 14/15 | Torn Ligament | Jul 24, 2014 | Nov 3, 2014 | 102 days | 11 |
| 13/14 | Fractured Foot | Sep 9, 2013 | Jan 11, 2014 | 124 days | 23 |
| 13/14 | Heel Bone Injury | May 20, 2013 | Sep 1, 2013 | 104 days | 4 |
Carroll always gave 100% in my opinion and gave us some unforgettable memories when he was on song. That over head kick and the hat trick against arsenal at UP. Unplayable when he’s on form and can’t help but feel a bit sorry for him with the injuries he’s sustained with us and throughout his career. Good luck to him.
Meh. We move on. He’d just better not celebrate when he scores against us!
I might sound harsh but this lad was either too stupid or ignorant when it came to his rehab after injuries he always gave me the impression once he had singed the big contract (90k for 6 f**king years Big Sam what were you thinking)Carroll was happy in his comfortable lifestyle and football was only secondary.No doubt he will score a couple of goals for his hometown team and be worshipped but he will look back some day and wonder what he could hae achieved if he gave 100%.Looking forward to the new season COYI
Good luck to him imho, he scored some crucial goals for us. If he wasn’t so injury prone who knows what he could have done ? Hope he doesn’t come back to haunt us and hope he does haunt Tottenham and Arsenal 😀
This record is nothing but an embarassment to the board tbh. When he’s back ” he’ll be like a new signing”. 11 times.
Pure madness.
Ps you didnt include the 100+ days he was unavailable the first season on loan from liverpool. ( If that wasn’t some kind of warning). Nope we signed him permanently whilst still injured.
Good luck to him. Unlike Hugh I was/am a fan of AC, he wore his heart on his sleeve and gave his all for the team. Some great moments to remember as well, hatrick against the Gooners, overhead against Palace, scoring against Liverpool in our first double against them in over 50 years and the winner against Chelski. Shame he couldn’t stay fit and play/score more for us. I wish him all the best, tho not against us.
Those memorable moments, alas, were very few and far between. Even when available he didn’t score that often.
I was also a fan- you can’t blame the player for being injured. He was/is the best around when on song but unfortunately that was not nearly enough.
SB should plan for him to play 19 games a season and not all in one block. Only play him when he thinks he’s gonna be needed and pray he doesn’t get crocked again.