Exclusive: David Cross talks Andy Carroll
But in six years at the club between 1977 – 1982 he scored 99 goals from 234 appearances to win a special place in the hearts of Hammers.
All these years on – speaking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – he declared: “It’s still my club, the first result I look for even though I am working for Blackburn Rovers on opposition analysis.
Big fella ‘Crossie’ is perfectly placed to assess the impact that Andy Carroll may have now he is ready to return to the Hammers team under Slaven Bilic and declared: “Any manager in the word would be happy to have Andy in their team.”
That immediately ‘dissed’ the view of some that the Croat’s more ‘cultured’ approach to the game may not suit the blockbuster style of the former Newcastle and Liverpool man.
But Big Dave – talking exclusively to ClaretandHugh – said: “I think he’s a top player. I wasn’t seen as a traditional Hammers player but I did ok in a team which had a lot of very creative types in it .
“Andy has been desperately unlucky with injuries but of he comes back and stays fit he can be a real presence in the team.
“He’s obviously great in the air but he has good feet and can bring players in from the left side really well. I like him and although a passing team is being developed down there he still has a big role to play I think.”
Theres been much talk that AC’s international years may not be behind them but Crossie has a firm view on that one declaring: “It won’t be on his mind. All he will be concerned about is getting the performances in for West Ham and that’s how it should be.
“Any manager in the Premier League would want him in their team and I hope he stays fit and has a big impact for us.”
In his role as an analyst of opposition teams in the Championship Dave has seen a lot of Michail Antonio and said: “He has tremendous pace and that’s scary. He is big and powerful. I think he was a terrific buy and could be a major player for us.”