Following fresh rumours that striker Andy Carroll is set to be offloaded in the January transfer window, it’s fair to say that thus far, the Geordie’s time in East London has been the furthest thing from plain sailing. Ever since his move to the Boleyn, certain sections of the club’s support have questioned whether the reported £15million spent on securing his signature was money well spent; and perhaps rightly so.
The past couple of days have seen various news sources report that co-owner David Sullivan has finally lost patience with the Englishman following a series of injuries that have plagued his career since his switch to E13. Having scored just nine times in over two years, and spent a vast majority of his time at the club watching on from the stands, fans’ and board frustration alike at some point, must become understandable.
Personally, I was thrilled when the club managed to secure the Geordie on loan back in 2012, and I was absolutely ecstatic when they managed to turn it into a permanent deal. Carroll, on his day, is undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s most difficult strikers to play against – his heading ability and hold up play is second to none, and he unquestionably has a huge impact on the West Ham side when he is involved.
All that said, however, I also feel that since Carroll’s signing, we as a side have come on leaps and bounds, and I sadly struggle to see a place for the striker once he returns from injury. With the new style of football that Sam Allardyce has implemented this season thus far, it is clear that the likes of Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho fit the bill, particularly the latter who has settled extremely quickly and netted an impressive four goals in four starts, including strikes against Liverpool and Manchester United.
Amidst whispers that QPR and Stoke City are interested in signing the big striker, it’s hardly surprising that the board are weighing up their options in regards to Carroll. Rumours of a switch back to boyhood club Newcastle seem to be ever-present, however the Tyneside club have reportedly insisted that Carroll drop his wage demands if there is to be any chance of a deal taking place. Alongside this, Newcastle are supposedly only willing to pay £8million to link up with their former front-man, which would leave the Hammers with a £7million loss on a player who has netted just nine times since arriving.
It’s clear for all to see that unless the Geordie returns from injury and sets the world alight, the Hammers are unlikely to get anywhere near the £15million they paid for the striker. For this reason, I would like to see Carroll remain at the club – once he has returned from injury Sam Allardyce will be left with a huge selection headache, and competition for places can only be a good thing and will hopefully bring out the best in the other strikers at the club.
Let me know your thoughts on Andy Carroll and a reported move away from East London – would you like to see the striker remain at the club, or have you finally lost patience and think we should try and cut our losses as soon as possible?
Carroll is too good to let go . Without doubt his injury problems are extremely frustrating to say the least . But , he is money in the bank as far our Squad is concerned . His ability is hard to deny. If gets over his injury crisis Big Sam cannot ignore him . We have signed some exciting players and they are performing well at the moment , but a big striker who worries defenders is also a major plus when the going gets tough . He can give you extra dimension which at times would surely be very valuable .
West Ham will have a goal glut against QPR . It’s going to happen one day soon to somebody , so it just might as well be against the Hoops .
4 – 0 sounds just fine .
It would be a massive shame to lose Carroll – At end of season before last, he was unplayable against: tore defenders to pieces – showed just how good he could be. He also offers a completley differnt way to open up a game if other stikers aren’t succeeding. I like him too: He just seems a very honest, amiable team member – not seeming to behave like arrogant Mr Big.
If we see him, do we want another ‘Diame’ situation for another club? (Lovely isn’t it? Diame goes to Hull; scores crucial goals in first 2 games inc 1 againt us, and makes a 3rd in his 3rd game….what a loss to WHU!!)
On that score has anyone looked at Jarvis highlights for Wolves before he came? He is a shadow of those skills; lost confidence in front of goal (but was improving again) etc. We have to face the fact that WHU seem to have stunted rather than embellished skills of Diame and Jarvis….
It would be a massive shame to lose Carroll – At end of season before last, he was unplayable against: tore defenders to pieces – showed just how good he could be. He also offers a completley differnt way to open up a game if other stikers aren’t succeeding. I like him too: He just seems a very honest, amiable team member – not seeming to behave like arrogant Mr Big.
If we see him, do we want another ‘Diame’ situation for another club? (Lovely isn’t it? Diame goes to Hull; scores crucial goals in first 2 games inc 1 againt us, and makes a 3rd in his 3rd game….what a loss to WHU!!)
On that score has anyone looked at Jarvis highlights for Wolves before he came? He is a shadow of those skills; lost confidence in front of goal (but was improving again) etc. We have to face the fact that WHU seem to have stunted rather than embellished skills of Diame and Jarvis….
Injuries happen in football, which is still a contact sport in some instances, & if like carrol a player has a weakness, it will show it up. In AC’s case it turned out to be more serious than anyone, especially him, would have wanted. Now, if he’s fully over it, like his doctors say, he’ll have a point to prove both to himself & west ham. To me, i think it’s better he does that in claret & blue rather than against us. So let’s hang onto him & see how it goes. With sahko, valencia, & downing feeding him, who knows, he could pay us back big time. If not, we’re going to lose money on him, so doing that later rather than sooner might not make much difference.
If it keeps us in the Prem for another two years untill we travel to our new ( albeit rented ) Home it doesn’t really matter on Our financial return . We will have secured our Premiership Status . Carroll must stay with the , As you say , ” Claret & Blues ” .
Come on you Hammers … Always preferred that to ” Irons ” ., but that’s just me .
Not letting Carroll go should be a non-brainer . The only thing that concerns me is whether there will be a desire to re establish the ” Nolan – Carroll ” link up . That would only cause serious unrest in the changing room . We can well do without that as , we seem to be getting a head of steam up at the moment . For me , Nolan needs to improve his game , but unfortunately I think he is at his peak right now . So no improvement forthcoming . He tries his hardest and gives it his all , which is something we all appreciate at Upton Park , but that’s not enough in today’s game where the stakes are SOoo very high . Maybe , respectfully , he should move down a division to continue his career in the Championship .
Agree the carrol – nolan link up worries me a bit. AC is 26, young enough when he’s matchfit to keep up the pace of the new guys. (Except maybe valencia). Not sure nolan can still do that for 90mins.30 or 45 maybe. & it’s doubtful he can improve. But it’s a given that allardyce won’t leave his old mate sitting on the bench more than he has to. He showed that saturday, bringing on nolan & leaving zarate on the bench.
Selling Carroll now makes no sense… But when did that ever stop a football club……???
Very well written piece and agree entirely with your final sentiment. Yes it’s frustrating but financially and tactically IT makes no sense to let him go jan esiecially if valencia or Sakho get injured – Cole is NOT good enough and zarate is a number ten not a striker. I also think the point re competiion for places is massive and something we haven’t had for years – nolan and jarvis should be the fall guys in jan and we simply must buy another centre back it’s ludicrous we have just three!!
Can’t argue with anything said.. I’m a fan of the fit Carroll but not sure where he will fit the present set up.. BUT to good to off load. Nice to have this sort of team head ache than the usual where we gonna find someone…. And what an option to be able to bring off the bench. COYI
There are to many if’s with Andy, if he had stayed injury free, if he had done this, if he had the club had done that, no, there seems to be something in the make up of Andy’s body that will not allow him to be injury free, and let’s face it, all that he has acheived in the last 5 seasons were 3 good months for Newcastle at the end of 2010 that allowed Newcastle to really cash in on him with their 35 million pounds sale of him, which was vastley inflated, but most importantly, I can’t see Andy fitting back into a team that is playing better and a different game entirely. I he comes on amongst this completely changed team he will be totally lost, and also he is never going to be in a West Ham team ever again that is tailored to fit totally around. That didn’t work the last 2 seasons and West ham are really lucky that the confusion his inclusion caused didn’t get them relegated, really lucky in deed. No get him fit West Ham, sell him off and try and recoup as much of that 15 million spent as possible. Newcastle only valuing him at 8 million after receiving 35, totally absurd, and I notice the Newcastle owner is investing more in the Huns club, being Rangers, so even he is getting ready to pi*s off from them, no let them have him. You’ve been a nice man at West Ham Andy, but then again, so has the tea lady, so good luck son.