David Moyes has jumped to the defence of Andy Carroll after the striker was heavily criticised for his ‘aerial challenges’ following the weekend’s defeat to Watford.
Carroll led with his elbow for an awful challenge on defender Marvin Zeegelaar in the opening seconds of Sunday’s clash at Vicarage Road, drawing bloody from the Premier League debutant.
Described as ‘disgraceful’ by pundits, it is not the first time Carroll has landed himself in hot water with his aerial challenges.
Only earlier this season he saw red for a similar challenge on Burnley’s Ben Mee.
Manager David Moyes however, Carroll is more than within his right to challenge the way he does and has defended his player for the apparent use of his elbow.
”I think it’s becoming ridiculous,“ Moyes told reporters. ”I actually think as soon as the ball goes up everybody is already saying it’s a foul against Andy.
”I‘m telling you, you can only jump with your arms for leverage … If we are now saying you can’t use your arms for leverage then that isn’t in the rules of football.
“Every time Andy plays, is everyone going to say, ‘That’s a foul?’ If they do then we’ve got to say now that if you’re six foot four you’d better go to basketball and stop being a centre-forward.”
Carroll is yet to find the net for West Ham this season, and will be hoping to break his duck against Leicester City tonight.
