Bilic counting on Carroll
As many look on wondering how he can stick one of Europe’s top strikers on the left wing and rely on AC as a lone front man the manager continues to plead the big man’s virtues.
And in his post match presser he gave every indication that this is how things are set to remain into the foreseeable future so long as the Geordie stays fit.
He said: ” He looks good, touch wood, he looks good. This is his second game, he looks fit and competitive. The quality will come with the games but it is a big boost for us and hopefully it will continue.
He looked unhappy [to be subbed off] but no, we just wanted to have quality on the pitch and we have quality on the bench so we changed it.
We went to three up front with Ayew, Arnautovic and Sakho and as I said, I was very happy with the way we kept the shape, defended from the front with pressing and all that.”