West Ham are so close to being safe in the Premier League now that it almost makes you think that a way will be found to blow it. Thanks in part to Andy Carroll’s rocket of a header on Monday night, there may even be another season of Sam Allardyce action to look forward to (insert your chosen expletive/roar of approval here). Is it time for Roy Hodgson to put his faith in the striker described by Kevin Keegan as being “in the top three headers of a ball I have ever seen”?
Odds
We’re just weeks away from the tournament, and while it’d be a brave (or extremely patriotic) fan who put a chunk of cash on the Three Lions to win the 2014 Brazil World Cup, there are plenty of alternative bets with a somewhat better chance of winning you some cash. Coral have Andy Carroll to be selected for the 23-man squad at 2/1 right now, while Rickie Lambert is slightly better favoured at 7/4.
Unsurprisingly, Carroll has the backing of Allardyce: “If you want alternatives, Andy gives you one,” he said. “He’s unique in many ways. Not many can receive the ball and head a ball as good as he does, especially with quality balls in the box … If he plays every week, scores goals, hopefully he’ll go to Brazil.”
Experience
One reason Carroll might be preferred over Southampton’s Rickie Lambert is something of a negative. On the assumption that England are not going to lift the trophy in July (which, let’s face it, is a fairly safe one), it would be useful to give some younger players a bit of major tournament experience before the Euros in France in 2016, and the next World Cup in Russia. Andy Carroll is 25, and so while Russia will probably be his last World Cup, France 2016 may be his best chance to help England lift some silverware. The experience of playing in Brazil could be invaluable.
Lambert, on the other hand, is 32, and didn’t pull on an England shirt until August last year. He’s scored twice in four appearances, but clearly hasn’t taken his place in the squad for granted. “I’ve always said if I don’t make it I’m going to be grateful that I got my chance,” he said in March. “I’m obviously desperate to go.”
Try and put your West Ham loyalties aside for a moment; who do you think should go to Brazil?
(Image courtesy of telegraph.co.uk)
I’d go with Carroll. I’m a Saints fans, but Lambert has been a little off colour this season, occasionally stirring into action like he did against Newcastle at the weekend.
I just think, if you want a target man, as an alternative, then Carroll is a little better at that than Lambert.
It still baffles me that Rodriguez is not really considered. I’d take him over Carroll or Lambert, and ‘bravely’ (sarcastic) go without a traditional target man.
Lambert all day everyday. From a West Ham fan. Carroll will be lucky to stay injury free to the end of the season, if he did go he will be injured for the start of next season.
Lambert did go off the boil but from what I have seen lately he looks back to his best scoring and good link up play.
Also a Saints fan. Surely J Rod is going instead of Welbeck, that’s just got to happen unless Roy has completely lost the plot.
I’m not sure with Lambert or Carrol. It’s close but personally I would go for Lambert for the assists and the way he drops out wide and is interchangable. That way Sturridge can have a free role up front and Lallana and J Rod can play up and behind as well, and yes Rooney would be dropped.
Plus Lambert can actually kick a ball rather than just head it, and I think he really deserves it and could be a hero and really raise the team with his passion and desire, whereas Carrol I think may bring the team down by just being Andy Carrol.
What gets on my nerves with Carroll is when he drops to the floor like he’s been shot with the slightest touch from behind. Then he twists his face up and holds his arms out to the ref. He must do this about 10 times a game. Not very sporting in my view and you don’t see many other “target” men doing this.
I wouldn’t take him to Brazil as his only attribute to the game is heading the ball.
Lamberts all round game is better than Carrolls.
Yeah I’d pick jay Rodrigues the 2nd top English scoring player and seems better and younger than the other two everyone mentions and in better form
I”d go with Lambert better all round player and most importantly he is less likely to throw his weight around and pick up bookings or get sent off as we know how foreign refs like to find excuses to do Bleatter a favour
Nobody has mentioned how good Lambert is with dead ball free kicks and penalties as well as holding up play and assists. Lambert has got to be before Carroll anyday!!
Sturridge is our best hope, and it looks like the future for England. Arguably Rodreguez plays in a similar vain, but in all honesty I don’t think he is accomplished enough yet.
Sturridge needs to be supplied with chances. Lambert provides so much for the rest of the team, for this reason I would go for him. Carol is good with his head, (marginally better than Lambert) but like Rodriguez his general game needs to improve if he is to become an England Regular.
Yes Lambert is not going to make the next Euro squad but hopefully England will have a forward player with as much ability by then.
There we have it, then. England are definitely going to win the World Cup, as we have every four years since 1930. Huzzah!
I am a linesman for the county…