OPINION
Several times Andy Carroll has managed to make a triumphant return to the West Ham United team after suffering an injury, but his latest comeback from the treatment table has been anything but spectacular.
The Englishman, who is a divisive figure at the London Stadium, missed the first few months of the season but has been fit for some time now. However, he is yet to get on the score sheet since returning against Manchester City in late November.
If the plan was for him to demonstrate to the powers that be at the London Stadium that he is worthy of a contract extension then it hasn’t really worked out.
His latest performance, against Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday, suggested that his ailing Hammers career might be done for good.
He struggled to have any impact on the game before being substituted at half time of the 2-2 draw. He failed to touch the ball in the Seagulls box before making way, as Chris Hughton’s side dealt with him superbly. However, they didn’t have to work too hard, with the striker making things easy for him.
His partner up front Marko Arnautovic also toiled for long periods of the game, before making a decisive impact with a stunning two minute brace to rescue a point for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
Carroll simply isn’t capable of that at the moment, and we’ve seen nothing to suggest that he will be for the remainder of the season. Perhaps all his injuries have taken a toll, because he’s failed to have his usual effect on games whenever he’s been given an opportunity this term.
At this point it would be bizarre to see West Ham offer him a contract extension. There’s still several months to go until the end of the season, but on Wednesday’s evidence Carroll is a long way from being good enough to be a fixture in this Hammers team.
With that said, the remainder of the campaign could turn into something of a funeral march for the former Liverpool man’s career with the club. And, let’s be honest, that wouldn’t be a bad thing.
