It’s seriously hard to work out where the Andy Carroll/West Ham saga goes next.
The big striker’s injury problems have taken on “Shakespearian tragedy” proportions with the facts reading:
Transfer fee: £17.5 million appx
0 2014-15: 16 played – five goals
O 2013-14: 16 played – two goals
The club have just revealed he’s out for the rest of the seas picking up an entirely new injury to his knee with David Gold wondering in an interview on this site just how unlucky can one guy be?
I take absolutely no pleasure from player injuries. However, this again represents an opportunity to team up what many believe is our best partnership – Diafra Sakho and Enner Valencia – but there is a big worry.
With Sakho’s back a problem – and I understand there are some out there that are cynical – what happens now in the event of an injury to one of the other of them?
Sam Allardyce appeared to have the Carroll dilemma nailed early doors when explaining that the player goes into too many risky challenges
Here’s what he said only in December: “I have said I want him to be careful with the way he goes in at times but ultimately it will be Andy who makes that decision.
You have to remember that although Andy has been around for a few years, sadly too much of the time he’s been on the treatment table. You’re not gaining the experience if you’re injured.”
Less than two months later the big fella is back on the same treatment table and there are deep concerns within the club.
With four months left on Carlton Cole’s contract there are big decisions to be made on the Carroll cover position – does the club’s long time servant get a new deal or do the club invest decent money in a new long term target man?
The other two major questions in all of this is whether we will need such a player should Sam Allardyce not be offered a new deal and whether the club should cash in on Carroll should they be offered let’s say £7 million or above. The other alternatives are to stick with him or pay up his contract and start again.
I want to make it crystal clear that all my sympathies are with Andy Carroll who has suffered more than enough but the imponderables build relentlessly
For me, it’s too early to say but we have great respect for our readers on this site and throw it open to every one of you such is the importance of the issue.
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My opinion is the club should cash on Carroll should they be offered 8/10 million. Withi this money and adding something we could buy 1 Young perspective striker and a good young player (maybe a defender). But this decision in accordance with next manager, not with BFS.
Now hearing he is out for the season!!
I have just recovered from a similar injury, Medial Ligament Grade 2 tear. Really is a frustrating injury as i got is in such an innocuous tackle exactly the same as Carrolls. I was out for 4/5 months and took a month training until I could play again. I was seeing a physio 2/3 times a week as well.
I do feel sorry for Carroll, not his faulty BUT what a waste of money he has been for our club.
Best thing about this is that Sakho and Valencia will get time to improve their partnership which I think can only be good for the club. Although I’m sure that fat oath will still play Nolan instead of Valencia and insist on pushing downing wide just to fit Nolan in!
Yes, it’s out now that he’s out for the rest of the Season – what a nightmare for the Club and for the player – his fitness problems are getting beyond a joke!
His physique and playing style mean this is just going to continue, what other club would take him – it’s a disaster!
I think now we know why West Ham were after Adebayor!
For sure it is a big issue.Feel sorry for the guy big time,seems like a good lad.But we are spending much of the season with a striker light with AC.If Sakhos back goes again,which it appears is a serious possibility we are going to be left with Valencia & Cole.If he was injured rarely we could all live with it but it is just one thing after another.There is also the financial side of it,he is on a big wage for spending 2/3rds of the seasons so far out injured.Though i do rate the guy on his day how long can we carry on knowing he is so injury prone & going to leave us short in the striker department.For me you try to recoup some money in the summer & buy another striker who will be available with a decent track record with regards to injuries.
I feel for Andy I do and if I had my choice it would be Nolan injured for the rest of the season. I can’t help but think the club only have themselves to blame. AC has always been injury prone and we opt for him over Bony!!!
I think the 2 Davids have been buying the players recently and BFS is trying to prove a point by leaving them out! Zarate sparkled when given a chance, Valencia is a threat when played in his position, Sakho a revelation but BFS reverts to type as soon as AC and Nolan are fit….. The first half of this season we were a massive threat to those around us, Nolan has to be benched….. Downing tip of the diamond with Noble Song and kouyate making up defence. NO ROOM FOR NOLAN! He is past it
Sorry Andy but it’s one of BFS’s choices’s gone now once he gets his guilt trip with Cole out of the way we will get a chance to see our dream forwards have a long run together,now we need his fetish with Nolan to stop and our season will be back on track.
Maybe Elliot Lee will finally get his chance, he had a great pre-season but was never allowed a chance in the Prem… Look at how Kane has done at spuds & he only got his chance through the main strikers suffering injury and lack of form.