Those of you who follow me on Twitter know that I am a big fan of West Ham United’s record signing, Andy Carroll. I think £15m is a good deal for a striker who is only 24 years old, and an England international.
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Carroll had a mixed season at West Ham last season whilst on loan, picking up injuries which kept him out for long periods, meaning he was always playing catch up with regards to fitness. However, when he did get a run of games at the end of the season, he showed just what he was all about. He battered Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand at Upton Park, which is no mean feat against two of the best centre backs in the world.
The media label ‘Big Andy’ with the tag of a target man. In principal, I suppose he is, but he showed with the different goals he scored, that there is more to his game than just heading the ball; my favourite of his goals being his right foot volley against West Brom at Upton Park.
There is only one thing that concerns me, and that is what we do if Carroll gets injured early on in the season. He’s got previous for it, so why would this season be any different. I fear we might not sign a striker of the same quality to step in, unless of course the Demba Ba rumours are true.
I think the Carroll signing is a real sign of intent by the club, the Chairmen and the manager, and I hope he can prove the haters wrong!
COME ON YOU IRONS!!
By Chelmo Hammer
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My biggest worry is that Sam had made it so clear in the media how much he wanted Andy and basically said “If you’re fit you’ll play”. Now we know full well that Sam isn’t going to play 2 up front any time soon so what half prolific striker including Ba is going to want to sit on the bench playing second fiddle? I admire the intent the board showed on signing Big Andy but I feel we may have pushed ourselves into a corner doing so.
So Chris, your point is we should have bought a poorer striker so that we could attract another?
Well, where do I start…?
Isn’t he already out injured until late August?
Chris my friend you are spot on! AC is a great player and a great signing but with the way Big Sam plays ie only one striker we are going to struggle to persuade a quality frontman to warm the bench. Hopefully the pressing need for more firepower will signal a change in tactics and a promise of meaningful game time will persuade a striker of significant quality to join. It’s either that or splash out on a goal scoring winger such as Milner or Sinclair! I believe the situation is so critical that only a signing in the region of what we paid for AC will suffice!
Here we go again !! why state that “Carroll had a mixed season” ? His record was better than Tevez when he was with us but everyone loved the little fella.
The signing of Carroll is massive for West Ham and shows real intent, the two David’s should be applauded for getting this deal done.
Great signing in many ways Chelmo. English, young, an international, and is more of a talented all-round player than he is given credit for; and who would ever have seen West Ham splashing big cash on a marquee signing like this ? Hopefully the days of us signing big name 35 year olds at the end of distinguished careers is over. Lets all embrace what the board are doing and look onwards and upwards !
Great signing but can’t do it on his own! Need to buy quality reinforcements! Otherwise there is no point!
No Dabnorhino you misunderstand my point completely. Who in their right mind is going to leave sitting on the bench at Anfield, Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, Etihad and get a few european games and come and sit on the bench for us and maybe get 90 mins in the carling cup? The board rightly in my opinion went after Carroll but maybe a bit too publically with their intentions. I feel now to attract another top name Sam is now going to state in the media that he wants to play 2 up front. I know those Recaro seats we have are nice but not nice enough to attract a big name to sit on them for 32 games a season.
I hope the board are pushing the fact that we have a 30% or so of our shares sat with someone who wants rid. An oil rich Arab would do nicely. Now is the time. 54k… My Arabic friends. 50 ducking 4.
I think 2 upfront will be great because let be honest with ourselves Andy isn’t so much of a finisher he is quality in the air so combine him and someone like ba it would be great but my concern is money.