Former West Ham defender Danny Higginbotham has revealed who he believes is the man that can save the Hammers from relegation this season.
The former star believe it is not Marko Arnautovic, the club’s record signing; nor £16 million Javier Hernandez; or even star man Manuel Lanzini who can save David Moyes’ side, but instead out-of-favour striker Andy Carroll.
Carroll, whose return from injury earlier in the season was welcomed warmly by fans, has since come under criticism for his poor performances having failed to find the net a single time this season.
Despite drawing a blank so far this campaign however, Higginbotham believe it is the big target man who may prove the difference for the Hammers come the end of the season.
“Getting him fit and keeping him fit is so important because at the start of the season it was (Javier) Hernandez up front on his own and they were going long to him and it was just coming back at them,” Higgingbotham said on Sky Sports.
“Now teams have seen West Ham can’t go long with Carroll out of the side and they have to play their way out and they just push right up and teams are nicking the ball off them in their own half and sticking it in the back of the net.
“Carroll could literally be the difference between West Ham staying up or being relegated.”
