Mark Noble has revealed how upset he becomes when seeing some of the comments directed at team mate Andy Carroll.
We reported just a few moments ago that the injury-plagued striker could well be on his way to the MLS with New England Revolution a possible destination.
Carroll has been reported as being keen on the United States an area where he and his partner Billie Mucklow will be free of the regular sniping.
It’s understandable as is the frustration of the Hammers fans but too often in this social media age the attacks on the player have been over the top and unpleasant.
Noble has made it clear he is annoyed at some of the criticism the striker has received during his various lay-offs, notably via that the long standing ankle issue.
And he has used his column in the London Evening Standard to explain exactly how he feels about the knocking Carroll has received.
He said: “It’s a real difficult one for me because it’s so hard to see a player who, every day, wants to train, to play and do his best, for the club and himself, but who has been stopped from doing that by a succession of injuries.
I saw Andy when he first came, initially on loan from Liverpool in 2012 and then permanently the following season, and I can remember the huge impact he made.
The thing about Andy is that when he plays, he gives it 100 per cent but, if he is not fully fit, he can put himself in danger. It’s horrible when I see some of the comments about him.
It’s not his fault he is injured. He’s such a big lad and his body just hasn’t allowed him to cope with the demands of playing regularly and that has severely limited his playing time. The thing in football is that you are always expected to be macho man — “I’m, all right, there’s no problem”, that sort of thing.
If you’re injured and you’ve been ordered to rest, you keep away because you don’t want to go to the training ground and see the rest of the lads fit and having a laugh. “
I don’t have much in the way of bad words to say against Andy Carroll – we have seen the kind of impact he can make when he’s fully fit, and when he has the kind of service that a player like that needs and thrives on. For an example, just look at his hat-trick against Arsenal in 2016. His first and third were perfect examples of what he can do in conjunction with wide players getting crosses into the box, while the second shows another facet – he’s big, he’s awkward to play against, he’s a handful for even the strongest of central defenders. It’s just unfortunate that such a big, strong, powerful centre forward has such a fragile body in terms of injuries.
It’s hard to feel sorry for anyone who has picked up the wages he has for not much return yes on his day he could be great and i doubt all of the stuff is true about how he looked after himself while injured but some is 100% true im sure. but watching him this season when he has played he looks finnished at top level.good luck to him but im glad his time with us is at an end
Football fans spend a lot of money to attend games I can’t but some can afford to go to away games, when you read about the lifestyle AC has and the money he has earned at our club it does make you think how did he get away with it and would he have done if employed in another profession, however I do not believe he and his family should be subject to abuse on line or otherwise he didn’t make the rules up just went along with them like anyone else would have.
I think it’s a shame if we had a fit AC from the moment we signed him he would have made a huge impact in our team and would be sorry to lose him to the state’s.
Agreed, IF he had been fit from the start, his impact could have been huge. I bet Liverpool fans feel the same way…..?
Good luck Andy Carroll, I just wish you had the decency to hand back all the £millions you got paid for being injured…..
I dont condone the abuse his family is getting off anyway but I always got the impression some of Carrolls injury problems have been his own doing weather it be form ignorance in following his rehab programs properly or his lifestyle choices off the pitch.In an era where the top players are going the extra yards to be top of the pile be it with yoga or learning to cook a proper diet from a private chef I always felt Carroll was happy to just do the basic requirements.You cant blame fans for feeling annoyed when he has been spotted out on the town numerous times over the years while not playing but still picking up his hefty wages
I agree with sentiment of Noble, social media and keyboard warriors, it is time we let him go but at the same time we should recognise that in 3 seasons it was his goals that really contributed to our survival. I will wish him well and hope he can secure himself a move, good luck to him.
I agree with Noble. Jealousy will get Andy Carroll’s detractors nowhere. What he’s done with his wages, investing in property and business is up to him and if he’s rich through football then good luck to him. It’s the entertainment industry and he has provided me with some of the greatest moments in my memory as a West Ham supporter. More great moments in fact than many West Ham players who have played three times as many games in the same time period. When he was fit and on top of his game he was unstoppable. I wouldn’t have wanted him playing against us, put it that way.