The Big Question: Will Carroll remain happy?

Slowly it’s becoming clearer why Brendan Rodgers had problems fitting Andy Carroll into his Liverpool team.

And as mentioned by a correspondent to the ClaretandHugh forum, that represents a hell of a compliment to Sam Allardyce.

Had you told me this time last year I would have written these words I would have been looking for the blokes in white coats to come and take you away.

But – and I’m aware he’s still not 100 per cent and was clearly tiring – when the manager hauled Andy off for Enner Valencia when all the smart money would have been on Mauro Zarate walking to the dug-out, I remained very surprised indeed.

Ok, Zarate came off shortly afterwards as the team lost its way, but that AC was the first to feel the ‘hook’ made it clear a megashift has taken place in West Ham thinking.

It now seems a given from manager down to the lowliest fan that one-up is not the West Ham way these days if you will allow me to use that sensitive expression..

Getting in behind defences and making things happen through the middle is what we have been screaming out for and that now looks to be Plan A.

Andy’s role will be as an impact sub but for how long he will find that acceptable is now the big question, just as it was under Rodgers.

Ok, it’s all gone more than a bit wrong for Liverpool in the early stages this season but the manager will not desert his system – the same system as it appears Sam is now adopting.

So with Diafra Sakho apparently ready to return and Valencia with valuable minutes under his belt, Sunday’s team selection will be interesting although given neither of the front two fully fit, maybe AC will start.

But from then on – all the while the duo are fit –  AC may well have a problem. Yes we want to keep him but how will he react when discovering that he is no longer the main man.

Mauro Zarate has faced a test of character and still is doing – AC may be about to find himself in the same situation.