Growing doubts over Andy Carroll’s place in the new system of play being developed by Slaven Bilic may yet see the club open to offers should interested clubs approach them next summer.
The club’s record signing – having found himself fully fit for the first time in a long time – is clearly having problems settling into the new approach being developed by the gaffer.
And insiders have told ClaretandHugh: “He remains an important member of the squad but it’s always feasible that other clubs may be watching his progress.
“We are totally confident that all his injury problems are behind him and he would have to be very unfortunate indeed to pick up any more.
“However, it’s noticeable that he hasn’t found it straightforward settling into the new way of playing and that may cause other clubs to take a closer interest.”
AC was again linked with a Newcastle move in the national press over the weekend and it’s perfectly conceivable that Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce could make a bid.
However, Carroll would clearly not prospect of relegation scrap or life in the Championship if that’s the way things worked out at the Stadium of Light.
Our source said: “He needs to be given time and may well be able to adjust his game. It will be an interesting spell in his life until the end of the season.”
There’s no doubt in my mind – he’s just not good enough!
He does work hard, but his limited ability on the ball together with a lack of pace limits his role to that of ‘impact sub’ when opposition defenders are tiring or sitting on a booking like against Chelsea – he can terrorise defences in the air and is definitely a good ‘plan b’ player!
It is clear that Carroll is not good enough for the new style of play that has been fast flowing, the same happened last year, when Allardyce was made to change his style, Carroll returned and we had to change back just to accommodate him, I feel it was down mainly to the stupid salary we pay him.
All the constant media given to him by the club has never helped the situation, along with his own media obsession I see him as deluded that he is much better than he actually is.
I feel a move would be best for all parties concerned, just hope the owners accept this situation and allow Slaven to recruit a striker that can fit our style and back up Sakho.
why was BFS made to change his style ?
Because Sakho, then Valencia then Sakho again, got injured?
He’s been used as a battering ram his whole career, it’s all he knows and undoubtedly he’s very good at it. It’s also clear to see the talents he uses for that particular tactic could be translated into Bilic’s style of play. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Give him some time to adapt to Bilic’s style. He’s our record/marquee signing so the owners obviously want some kind of return out of him! Unfortunately all he’s had so far is injuries or hoof ball. I say give him some time to adapt – it might just be my Andy Carroll rose tinted glasses but I can see him getting better under Slav and being the amazing 20 goal a season striker we all desperately crave! Not everyone can be a Sakho/Payet – instantly amazing and no adapt time needed! After said time has been given and he still hasn’t proven he’s up to it, we can all agree the only options are see you later Andy thanks for the memories, or get used to being the most expensive super sub ever!!
Iv never personally liked him as i think his over-rated but thoufht under billic he may thrieve but this season his looked completly out of if and out paced maybe i should give him time but on a serious note would any one buy hom especially for the price we wpuld want for him it was a stupid transfer in the first place carroll would never get 12 goals a season let alone 20 and we need a player who can guarantee that i like the player ben yedder who i think could give sakho a run for his moneywe are a club on the up and we should now aim high i believe next season is going to be the one to remember
While Andy is a better player than he’s given credit for the bottom line is that he’s an injury prone striker who doesn’t score many goals, any reasonable offer should be listened to and our losses should be cut…
He’s two PL starts back, after 8+ months out. Give him a chance.
I agree, he’s only just back from a very long lay off.. and he’s come back to a new manager & a new style of play. He needs several months to shake off the rust and adapt.