Carroll will be hoping for no more of these howlers, be it from the bench or from the start.
After a string of draws, West Ham returned to winning ways against a Southampton side who only a couple of days before had put 4 past Arsenal. The Southampton game was an accurate reflection of the quality and spirit the squad has. For example, if the West Ham squad last year were losing 1-0 to Southampton at home having not won since October, the best I have expected was a draw. However, Bilic made some positive substitutions at half time by bringing on Manuel Lanzini and Andy Carroll who both impacted the game massively and increased the chances of the team scoring with the big man up front eventually scoring the winner.
Liverpool travel to Upton Park looking to avenge the 3-0 loss they suffered at Anfield earlier on this season. Jurgen Klopp’s side come into the game off the back of a 1-0 away win against Sunderland. I was impressed with the substitutions that Bilic made against Southampton, and I expect him now to have confidence in making substitutions during the Liverpool game if those changes are required. Bilic may well have some better options from the bench in the game on Saturday with the likes of Payet, Moses and Reid all potentially fit enough. If all three of these players are on the bench or maybe two, the whole squad will have increased morale, and even the manager can have confidence knowing that if the starting eleven don’t perform, he has quality reinforcements on the bench.
Another question that Bilic will have to answer is whether or not Andy Carroll starts against his former team. When the number 9 came on in the Southampton game, he made a huge difference and the Southampton defenders failed to keep him quiet. Carroll will be motivated coming up against his former team mates and will want to prove a point. However, perhaps he is more effective from the bench. Of course it depends on the way Bilic sets the team up and how Liverpool set up but personally I think Carroll is a super sub who can change games coming on, and give tired defenders a really tough time. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see Carroll starting the game but I feel Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate should be given more of a chance in that position. Ultimately, with regards to whether or not Carroll starts, if I were Bilic I would bring him on as a substitute in the second half and maybe have someone else supporting him.
The creativity is slowly coming back into the team with Lanzini nearing full fitness. I would hope the Argentinian playmaker starts against Liverpool because he can provide the defence splitting pass and when Payet is not on the pitch, Lanzini looks the most likely to make something happen for West Ham. I would imagine a similar team to the once who faces Southampton will be fielded against Liverpool but hopefully Lanzini is starting and assists the team to the double over Liverpool. The confidence the team should have after the win against Southampton can definitely help in what will be a difficult game against Liverpool. The mere presence of Dimitri Payet on the bench will be massive as although he clearly won’t be 100% match fit, we know he can come onto the pitch and make an impact. West Ham can go 5th if we beat Liverpool and other results go our way, add that to the return of some very influential players coming off the back of a win which we had to fight for, I feel there is a lot for West Ham fans to be optimistic about.
“Andy Carroll’s value to this club when he returns will be as an impact sub for Bilic to bring on against a tiring defence”
I wrote that back at the beginning of the season.