There have been some concerns expressed by West Ham supporters this week about the lack of effectiveness of Andy Carroll in the defeat against Arsenal. He was not able to make his usual impact upon the opposition, through winning headers and holding play up, and Per Mertesacker in the Arsenal defence largely had the striker under wraps.
Personally, I do not think we need to be particularly worried. During his time at West Ham, Carroll has generally been very good for us, not only in an attacking sense but defensively too, and has played well since his return from injury this season.
A player isn’t going to have a great impact on every single game they play in, even the likes of Liverpool’s Luis Suarez or Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. Sometimes they will have an off day or simply come up against a defender who has the measure of them. It is also important to point out that Carroll is no doubt still trying to find his best form after being out injured for so long. I still believe that Carroll will be a success for the Hammers.
The problem for West Ham is that Sam Allardyce views Carroll as the one and only attacking option when he is fit, no matter who the opposition are or what the match situation is. Only will a back up striker (usually Carlton Cole) be thrown on near the end of a match we are chasing, as almost a last ditch desperate measure.
Therefore, when games such as Arsenal on Tuesday night come along, where Carroll is unable to make an impression for whatever reason, the attacking threat of West Ham becomes extremely weakened.
Carlton Cole has his detractors, but he has generally delivered when used this campaign. His record of six goals in just nine starts and 13 substitute appearances has been invaluable, especially when you consider the importance of those strikes in the absence of Andy Carroll during the first part of the season.
However, when Carroll is available for selection, Cole is pretty much shunned as an option. The example that best summed this up was last month, when Cole started in three successive league victories following Andy Carroll’s red card for his vicious assault on Chico Flores’ hair, and had by all accounts, played well in those games. He started the next, away to Everton, but clearly Sam Allardyce was looking for any excuse to play the clubs record signing, and hauled Cole off humiliatingly after just 28 minutes.
Big Sam needs to show more flexibility in the attacking players he puts on the pitch. Whilst Carroll is peerless in certain parts of his game, I do feel that Cole can offer a different type of threat to the Geordie, and one that perhaps an opposition defence hasn’t prepared for. Cole is probably better at holding the ball up on the ground than Carroll, and arguably better at holding off and turning defenders with his upper body strength. Indeed he did look more effective against Arsenal than Carroll, during the brief time he was on the pitch.
So Big Sam should keep in mind Carlton Cole, who I think is underrated by many, and be willing to use him much more, either bringing him off the bench earlier when clearly Carroll is unable to make an impression on a match, or even start Carlton when a pre-match analysis may show that the oppositions defence would struggle more against the presence of Cole rather than Carroll.
All of this also highlights the need for a new striker to be signed in the summer transfer window, who can offer a different type of attacking threat to what we currently have.
My concern regarding andy carrolls last two games is the apparent lack of interest , he doesn’t seem to be busting a gut to get to brazil , west ham have backed him all the way it’s time to deliver starting tomorrow against an inform palace
I think the playing staff n coaching set up all need a shake up as not up to scratch full stop!
BFS has to change the set up tomorrow, palace dealt with the toffees who played with one up front just like we do , they are expecting us to do the same and if we do we will lose, BFS change the formation please we need this .
Crystal Palace have won all of their last 4 games, but have only scored 27 goals (only 12 of these coming from 17 away games), only 1 club, being Norwich on 26, have scored less. That’s about 3 goals for every 4 games. If we can’t keep our next clean sheet against them, then something is very very wrong with the West Ham squad. Whether it is tactics, morale or whatever? West Ham have lost half of all the games they’ve played this season, which is already, 1 more loss than last season. 17 losses are enough!
West Ham have not drawn 1 match in their last 11 games. West Ham have not won any matches by 1-0, so if West ham score once against Palace, then it is very likely they will get more. West Ham are due for a win. Palace are not! I think Andy Carroll’s last hat trick was for Newcastle against Villa, so if he wants to impress Roy Hodgson, then this game may be the very one to do it in. OR START CARLTON COLE, WHO’S SCORED 65 GOALS FOR WEST HAM!!! HE’S A BETTER ALL ROUND PLAYER THAN ANDY CARROLL, FULL STOP http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton_Cole Believe West Ham, let’s get this win under our belts & finish the season strong!
COME ON LADS. LET’S THRASH THE FLAMIN CRAP OUT OF THESE CHEATS ON SATURDAY!!!!
Sorry, I should have mentioned this is to date for Carlton, being career goals as of 9th February 2014.
= League for Chelsea – 4, FA Cup – 2, League Cup – 2, Totals 8.
= League for Wolves – 1. Totals 1.
= League for Charlton – 4, FA Cup -1, Totals 5.
= League for Aston Villa – 3, Totals 3.
= League for West Ham – 53, FA Cup–4,League Cup-7 Totals 64.
Totals 80 Professional career goals as of 9th February 2014. This is without what Carlton has scored since[ then. Carlton is still West Ham’s main man. Andy has yet, still to prove himself with our club, sorry Andy, the wait is costing us too much!
I have always personally rated Carlton cole, I mean without him and Vaz te we would not have got promoted. I like big Sam I really do, but even I think he should start the last matches with both Carlton and Andy up front, downing and Jarvis or Taylor and Vaz te or a mix of the two, drop diame who is constantly whining about everything and play noccerino and noble or Nolan instead. Defence Reid Tomkins Collins Demel Adrian in goal
What you think? Views and opinions please
Yes, I often think the same, in that why not use both big men up front? It doesn’t get mentioned much but Carlton is the same height as Andy at 6′ 3″, & with both wingers of Jarvis & Downing on + Collins, who’s been our rock in defense, that would be a strong side. The starting 11, who won 3 games without Andy are; Adrián, Demel, McCartney, Taylor, Collins, Tomkins, Jarvis, Noble, Cole, Nolan, Downing. Nolan is just coming back from injury, so Andy should start with his old Liverpool team mate of Downing. I think Taylor would need to be on the bench, as with Reid in you’ve run out of places, so yes, start Carlton on for Nolan. Nolan is returning from injury, so it’s best if he’s on the bench & can come on later, & Reid on for Taylor. Demel & McCartney worked well in the winning 11, so I’d include McCartney, with just Reid & Carroll being the 2 changes to what was a winning team as above.
So that starting line up would be as follows; Adrián, Demel, McCartney, Reid, Collins, Tomkins, Jarvis, Noble, Cole, Carroll, Downing. & go for a diamond formation such as Liverpool use & attack attach, attack!!!
Good to see so many positives about Carlton..Question…has Andy Carroll ever had a good game..scoring goals etc, with out Kevin Nolan playing?..I would like to see the stats on that one…Brendan Rodgers might of sussed him out ..I also think that AC putting a defensive performance in any game is not what we want to see…
Unfortunately fellow supporters our CURRENT manager has an ego the size of a bus and wont change a thing.
The Arsenal were there for the taking in the first 40 minutes..did he change any thing?..I could not believe what i was watching..That was the worst starting Arsenal performance against us for years..and they still beat us !…
Carlton being hung out to dry at the fag end of every game is wrong..I would not blame him for leaving in the summer..unless he is hoping for a change of management.
It seems staying in the PL is the only requirement from our owners….and Allardyce is capable of doing that..sod the football …as long as we get 40 points…thats all that matters..
I used to look forward to Saturday..being a lifelong hammer..we used to play some quality stuff..and had a few entertainers as well..now..i watch out of a sense of hope rather than expectation.
Good article,allardyce is unbelievably negative,I watched the liverpool game at Upton park and thought we was crying out for a more mobile fast striker to play off carrolls flick ons,he never wants to play 2 strikers which is bollocks.Its fair enough playing 1 up front and an extra midfielder away from home but at home you should play 2 up top and go for the game.sam out still for me,he cant even attract good players it’ll be another bland season next term if we stay up
Total pants, Carlton loves falling over and hardly ever wins a free kick. we …. up at the start of the season with getting players in.
22 years since palace won at the park tells it’s own story
but the main thing is to stay in the Prem over the next 5 years for stability
That’s it for me……. losing to Palace at home!….taxi for Allardyce…..I agree lozza..the main thing is staying in the prem but not with Allardyce as manager surely!….
Getting manager of the month for four wins in a row don’t mean shite if that’s all you’ve done all season.
Im trying to be rational here..trying to look at the bigger picture etc…five year plan with sam in charge Olympic stadium..full house…pushing for champions league…but im sorry I just cant see it with him at the helm….if im wrong I will eat my computer….in five years time!