OPINION
It’s not often in recent seasons that you’ve been able to say that West Ham United need to start Andy Carroll in a match – or that they’ve even had the option to – but this Saturday’s clash with Newcastle United feels like just the right time to unleash him.
The 29-year-old returned to the Hammers bench against Manchester City last time out as he looks to put his latest injury problems behind him.
Now, he could receive his first appearance of the new campaign against his former team. The timing is perfectly opportune, what with West Ham attacker Marko Arnautovic going off with an injury against City.
The Evening Standard reported that the Austrian would be assessed by the club’s medical staff on Monday to determine his status for Saturday, but no update has been revealed as of yet.
If the former Stoke City man is unavailable to face Rafael Benitez’s side then Carroll must be given the shock nod up front, it’s as simple as that.
Newcastle unveiled an imposing five man defence in their win over Burnley on Monday night and it worked a treat, and if they do the same against the Hammers it’s unlikely that the diminutive Javier Hernandez would have much of an impact on the game.
Carroll, on the other hand, is more than a match for even three centre halves. The Geordie is a hugely intimidating figure and his physical presence has given Premier League defenders fits on countless occasions over the years.
Having the likes of Robert Snodgrass and Felipe Anderson delivering whipped balls into Carroll would spell disaster for the Magpies and success for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
Even if Arnautovic is passed fit for the clash Pellegrini should consider throwing Carroll in anyway. The Englishman will be hugely motivated going up against his hometown side and, considering that he is in the final few months of his contract [Source: Spotrac], he’ll be looking to put himself in the shop window with some good displays.
It does seem as if the stars are aligning for the return of the polarising frontman. It would be a huge risk, but Carroll’s selection could result in a huge reward for the Hammers on Saturday.
