S
am Allardyce made it very clear in an interview yesterday that there can be no immeduate return for Andy Carroll so long as Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho are in their present form.
And in fairness to the manager it has to be pointed out that there hasn’t, despite the common perception, been a rapid return to Kevin Nolan, since he recovered fitness, has there?
Here’s what Allardyce said when asked whether he had a difficult decision to make on Carroll, given the form of the two current front men:
“No, I haven’t. Andy has to wait. If those two [Valencia and Sakho] carry on, there’s no way they can be put to one side for Andy. Andy will have to earn his place. He knows it.”
I believe him and it would have been nice to discover how the big man felt about his manager’s assessment of that situation.
After all, he was involved in an official site website question and answer session yesterday a couple of days after the interview was published. Instead we received several predictable answers to predictable questions. Never mind, opportunity missed.
Allegations that the manager has his favourites – a view voiced relentlessly on Twitter – are in fact correct. Every manager does – par for the course!
But this is a season when a few misapprehensions are being shattered and I happily admit one or two of mine have gone up in smoke as the manager has produced a footballing team and stuck with those who are clearly in form .
I’m prepared to accept his word for now that AC will have to wait. The bigger question, however, is how the record signing will be integrated into a style of play long term which really doesn’t look cut out for him.
Interesting times ahead!
I can’t see what the issue is I really can’t. Any club that plays 2 up front needs 4 strikers, any side that wants to mount a serious challenge for the Premiership and the FA Cup needs 4 TOP strikers. Andy is a top striker and will fit into our style of play very nicely thank you very much. Even if you think his game is only on his head, and it’s not btw, then he would have scored 3 or 4 by now. Valencia and Sakho will get injured, maybe Sakho will go to Africa for a World Cup, looking ever more doubtful I know, will get suspensions and lastly Sam will mix it up and rest players. I predict Andy will get plenty of game time if he stays fit.
Our 4th striker is CC, or Lee, I certainly see CC playing less and he will certainly become 4th choice. I predict clubs will be terrified of facing our forward permertations. Good job.
I may be only one of a very few that feel this way, but I think Sam has an opportunity here to try something that could turn this whole thing into a steamroller. Now I’m not saying it will work, but if AC can click with Valencia and Sakho and all three are out there…..it could be utterly lethal for opposing defenders. Song, Kouyate, and Noble in the midfield. It’s an experiment worth trying. Sam HAS to try it. For whatever reason, I think it would work. So much movement from Valencia and Sakho and so much power from AC. If I was a CB in the EPL, I’d be losing sleep over that one.
I am really looking forward to seeing the up front pairing of a fit AC and Sakho. I feel Valencia still needs to mature a bit on the pitch, and having two very physical forwards that have speed and are great in the air will terrorise every defense. Then bring Valencia on for the last 20 with his pace and ability to take on these very tired and battered defenders, as you said Interesting times ahead. I am glad that AC will not get straight back into the team as I feel he will need to work at it but if Sakho is out for a month with his shoulder then he may be paired up front with Valencia straight away, still a scary proposition for any back line. COYI
What are talking about? Nolan has played in every game since declaring himself fit! And on what basis do you come about the favourites of managers? They are professionals so why would you have a favourite? AC not fit yet so let’s wait and see, as he gets injured at the drop of a hat.
Ok so we have plenty of strikers to chose from. Will someone in the know in the U.K please enlighten me where our future stars from the Academy are ? Are they been given a chance or will they be left to go elsewhere? Will Allardyce be relying on the owners always to buy him out of trouble? Dare I say it but there doesn’t seem much scope for Morrison either?
Please excuse my naivety but Oz is a long way from Upton Park.
He doesn’t look like the sort of player,that would fit into the brand of football we’re progressing with at the moment.But if we are struggling in certain games,then its a totally different dimension and style of play that could catch out the opposition. C.O.Y.I.