Slaven Bilic claims Andy Carroll has been impacting on games this season be it from the start or off the bench.
Whilst many still question the continuing use of the big man as a first option the manager believes he will get better and fitter.
He said: “He has been good, he will get fitter and better, has an impact on the game if it’s from the start or the bench and that’s what he has been doing.
Of course, we are expecting him to be more fitter and with that, more minutes and then more match fitness and to get better. He is looking better in training now than he did two or three weeks ago which is only natural but yeah, he is good.”
He added: There is always pressure on centre forwards (to score goals). They are not happy if they don’t score, as I said two years ago and last year, centre forwards who are basically, depending on their goals, to prove they are worth it for the team.
Andy is not like that, he opens spaces, he is sometimes two or three around him that have to stop him which opens gaps and spcaes. His flicks or playoffs with his head too, are key. For him to make an impact and to be very important, he doesn’t always have to score goals.
Everyone knows his strengths and weaknesses, if people ran beyond him I would agree occupying two or three players was good but no one can when you lump the ball long without the team being in shape to benefit from it, anyone with half a brain would be drilling the players to pass out from the back, Carroll to show some urgency in getting as high up the pitch as he can and waiting for the cavalry to get in position, its not like we don’t pass the ball sideways and backwards enough for that too happen, except when Carroll is in the team, just work on transition and tell the forward to be aware of where the players will break and head it into those areas so we can actually open teams up.
Yes we back pass entirely too much. And yes AC can do more then score but unfortunately the last few games he has been deep giving away possession a lot few that led to goals.
Yet Rice gets a bad pass and dispossessed by 2 players and is pulled.
AC for me as to be a super sub or against right teams. He doesn’t seem to like being in front 2 and tracking back he causes issues.
Sahko can also do without scoring more w pace he can open space get in behind run the channels take chances and Chic can poach.
Chicarito has 3 PL goals Sahko has 3 some in EfL but still in 15 sub’s & 1 full against Bolton.
AC – 0.
On Merit Chicharito and Sahko should get the start. Bc we need goals!
You have nailed it very well JRS!
I am starting to lose my patience with Bilic and his bizarre over-estimation of Andy Carroll’s potential. he has played 6 games, averaging around 80 mins/game, no goals & no assists (unless you count his assists for Spurs when his erratic passing led to the first 2 goals).
If Bilic persists with AC as our starting striker, then we may as well resign ourselves to life in next season’s Championship.
Sakho is clearly a better central striker than AC; he is faster, has better reaction times, and has a number of facets to his playing style, which AC simply doesn’t possess. Surely, a sane manger would link Chicharito and Sakho!
Ac would be more effective if he was moved on while fit !! Unless poppodom gets the right service from the flanks to attack the goal he offers nothing where hoof ball is applied and 32 can see the problem as we all can there’s no teamwork around this tactic , other managers can see this and have no problems putting 2-3 players in his vicinity on the pitch because there is no game plan from the knockons ? No danger lol, bilic and his staff are not coaching this team correctly , the players know this but have their orders ? Unless someone turns them headlights off then there’s much of the same to come 😤
Personally I would install brooking to bring some style back into the team and someone to respect, and start giving us something to clap about and enjoy , win or lose , but please stop this fekin dross in watching😎
Will this lovefest never end for the unplayable on his day broken Poppodom? 30 goals in 5 years and he’s seen as a some kind of bloody saviour just like the English unstoppable Iniesta in MF 😆😆