The return of Andy Carroll could act as a big boost for West Ham United as they act to put a run of just two wins in twelve behind them.
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It could act as not only a welcome return to the east end club but it could well rejuvenate pal and colleague Kevin Nolan, who’s form has been very suspect of late.
Nolan, who has looked tired in recent games may just need the knock on’s of Carroll to find his goal scoring form back, which has seen him hit a barren spell in front of goal.
It comes as no surprise to me that the Hammers form has been sticky since Carroll pulled up injured; the Hammers have picked 9 points from a possible 33, for me Andy Carroll is the key man.
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People have said he hasn’t made much of a difference to proceeding since joining the club for me wind me up, “but he has only scored 1 goal” it’s his general hold up and play and his role at either ends of the pitch that are vital for us.
With rumours suggesting Carroll is 70-30 to be fit for the Fulham clash on Wednesday his return will surely boost both our overall game and Nolan’s form.
You only have to look at Nolan’s form to tell how much of difference Carroll makes to his mates play, I said on Twitter the other day he makes Nolan look more comfortable on the ball and their link up play is second to none.
I received a volume of tweets back including one from a writer on this very site, Carl Bateson saying “Personally I just feel father time is starting to catch up with him”.
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I tend to agree that his play has been lethargic but for me his role at the club is so much more than that, his general play. His positioning and finishing is his main roles, unfortunately due to his lack of confidence, his main skills are starting looking poor.
Here’s hoping Carroll makes the difference and the performances improve.
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No, becuz he hasnt scored since newcastle away and that was just a fluke. Hes not the great finisher people make him out to be, he scores tap ins that joe cole proved he could do. Apart from the first 6 games of the season Nolan has looked poor with or without carroll and if hes a professional footballer shouldnt need carroll to do well. He slows our play down and hinders the rest of the team. Nolan was never good in the first place and as seen before when he doesnt play we play better. Against QPR he was like there 12th player and every conter attack came from him giving the ball away the same as man united.
u r 1 sexy mofo
Why would a player suddenly spring into life when his mate returns to the side ??? His entire game has been very poor for months and for me, we have in effect been playing with 10 men at times, 9 when Vaz Te has one of his lazy days. Nolan has based his entire game on poaching knock downs or tap-ins from close range. When the goals were coming in the early part of the season, then fine, you tend to overlook the deficiencies such as lack of pace and awareness, lack of mobility, a lack of tackling technique (loads of free kicks conceded in dangerous areas) and a tendancy to give the ball away cheaply. However, now the goals are a distant memory, the facts need to be addressed that Nolan is a luxury, and is keeping other more fluid and mobile players out of the team. He is also perhaps preventing the use of two pure front men which would be great to see, especially at home, such is Allardyces obsession with playing his old mate. Joe Cole would, for me, be of far greater value in that looser role behind the striker, and the sooner BFS sees the bigger picture, then the better for all of us. Its not what Kevin Nolan has done in the past because that is history. its what hes doing now…and the answer is nothing of any note or quality.
He’s won us 7 points this season… for that alone give him a break people!
Far too simplistic a reply. How do you quantify the points hes lost us just by being a passenger for so many games this season ??? Players need, no MUST be picked on current form, not past glories and the facts are so clear to anyone that knows anything about the game ; he is simply not worth his place at the moment. When he finds some form or some more energy to contribute and help out his under siege team mates then by all means take another look at the situation. Joe Cole is being kept out of his best spot because of Nolan.
Nolan should be given tonights match at fulham and swansea on sat to get back to doing his job in the team which is supporting the frontman and being captain.With no improvement in these games he must be rested and time for sam to change system to allow two up top or jack collison / joe cole in the hole behind the striker.Last chane for nolan these next games imo
Unless Carroll can give Nolan a new pair of legs he won’t change nothing . Big Sam needs to show some balls and drop him maiga would be perfect in his position , we have to play this lad he can score goals. Nolan must have a moody passport because he moves like he is at least 10 years older. You cannot keep living of 5 tap ins a year you have to do something to influence the game . Sign ince and play cole inside we need more pace!
I think we are in a major freefall and dogfight now. BFS’s formation of 4-5-1 clearly is not working and it seems like the players as well as the fans are recognising that. We have some quality players in our squad, players who at the moment look clueless, un-motivated and devoid of confidence, and that is I think the biggest problem with Sam, unless you fit into his 4-5-1 you have not got much chance of getting a run. As stated we have got some quality in our squad and I can guarantee that 95% of our squad would look completely different players under another manager. I say 95% because I don’t believe Demel is good enough for the PL and BFS has managed to turn Tompkins into a Sunday league player at the moment. For the first time I feel that BFS is walking a tightrope, and I hope the board learnt a lesson last year in not recruiting at the right time.
Against Stoke Nolan for some reason ran around like a man possessed – in just about every other match he has been yards off the pace and I agree with Spence 55, when Nolan plays we are a man down, if Vaz is on tarting around we are down to 9 -Jarvis has totally failed to justify his fee and has singularly failed to help out his full back – so thats an 8 man team – no wonder Noble has to do the work of 2 or 3 – we are in trouble particularly when BFS is dumb enough to play a lightweight like Chamakh as a loan striker – Carlton Cole has done a great job since he came back in, no-one leads the line better – but for crying out loud give him someone to play with and not donkey Nolan – things have to change – 2 men up and a bit of attack – our crosses, freekicks and corners remain woeful, time for plan B