8 goals from 47 games – that is Andy Carroll’s current record for Liverpool football club, following his £35 million transfer last January.
With a record like that you would think that, after having had an absolute stinker of a game – again – that he’d have the humility to not shout abuse at his manager, a man who has been alone pretty much all season in defending the striker, and then throwing his shirt to the ground.
Carroll has been on borrowed time all season; under pressure to show that he is even halfway capable of justifying the fee we paid and many Liverpool fans and ex-players have been far from convinced that he could even justify a tenth of that fee. But as Reds fans showed a few years ago with Peter Crouch – when we can see that you’re trying and you’re giving it your all we will stand behind you and try to will things to come off for you. Carroll’s problem is that he just doesn’t seem to be bothered half the time.
For the first 15 minutes he was like a house on fire. Putting himself about, giving Newcastle’s defence a torrid time and looking like this may be a turning point for both him and the team. Then came the turning point and he blew it big time. Clean through and with only Krul to beat, Carroll knocked the ball into a central position and needed only step to the side and roll the ball into the net. He’d done all the hard work already and created a chance for himself in a way we didn’t know he could and then, instead of putting us a goal up and giving his confidence the boost it needed, he opted to bottle it.
People will discuss why he did this for weeks but in my opinion he simply bottled it. He’d expected a decent reception from his old clubs’ fans but got quite the opposite, which seemed to be the reason he was so wound up but when faced with an open goal, he decided that, rather than scoring and then drawing more abuse on to himself – and perhaps not knowing whether he’d celebrate or downplay the goal – he opted to dive for a penalty. In terms of penalty-takers, Carroll is probably near the bottom, along with Jamie Carragher and whoever happens to be in goal that day, so somebody else would have to step up, we’d score and he’d never have had to put himself in that situation. For me, that was enough to hammer the nail in Carroll’s coffin; we don’t need bottlers at this club, especially not when we’ve broken the transfer record to bring them in.
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But his reaction to being substituted after what was a muted, inept performance after that incident confirmed it for me – he needs to go in the summer, regardless of the loss we’ll take. You see, I do not believe that Kenny is the man to take us forward. I didn’t think that last summer, despite the upturn we’d experienced when he took over from Hodgson but I was happy to let everybody enjoy the morale boost he brought. In the past 8 months though, I’ve seen only steps backward and I’m finding it increasingly harder to stomach but any complaints I’ve had and any points I’ve raised have always been with respect and with what I feel are valid reason and argument. What Carroll did though, the disrespect he showed his manager and the shirt (seriously, he may as well have spit on it) should see him moved on as quickly as possible. If he’d performed well, I could understand his anger but in all honesty, he should’ve been pulled off at half-time, so he should think himself lucky he was taken off so late in the game.
Whatever happens in the summer, regardless of who stays and who goes and who is in the manager’s seat come the start of next season, one thing is for certain: Andy Carroll shouldn’t be available for selection and should be touted around any interested clubs in the summer; we don’t need that type of player at the club and attitudes like his are only adding to our problems at a time when we need to pull together to try and minimize the damage for the remainder of the season.
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PETITION REFERS TO: JOHN W. HENRY, THOMAS WERNER, DAMIEL COMOLLI, IAN AYRE
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/jose-mourinho-should-replace-kenny-dalglish-as/
Mourinho? dream on, he’d need more cash than FSG would give him. Mind you that would set the cat amongst the pidgeons would’nt it. I think Mourinho will only come back for Chelski, or old whisky conks job.
I could understand such a petition when our previous owners tragically replaced acmanager of the quality of Rafa Benitez with the uninspiring Roy Hodgson, but now this is no time for self-defeatism. Our new owners, King Kenny and Commolli deserve the trust of the fans and will surely make the best decisions for LFC at the end of the season.
man, you are delusional! take a reality pill.
you may want Jose, but Jose doesn’t want Liverpool. he don’t want the job. he’s after the man u job.
but seriously, you are a plonker. a petition to get rid of Kenny to bring Jose.
I died laughing….LOL…
Kuyt should play with Suarez, ’till the end of season. Carroll just not Liverpool standard, end of. He’s not alone though, Downing and Adam, just are’nt going to make the grade either. Henderson can only get better when he gets a run in the centre. And why do people rate Enrique? Looks to me that Kenny has alienated some of the dressing room, would’nt surprise me if quite a few will want out, the way they’re treated. Same with his nonsense with the press. All he does is stick his tongue out, looks like fucking Norman Wisdom! Time for him to go, and take his transfers with him.
He needs to go! Simple as that! Kenny and all the players have stuck by carroll, the only problem is who will take him, I heard sunderland were interested, we need to play on the floor, not to the flop that is carroll, it will be intersting to see if kenny involves him in the next few weeks! Has for kenny, until the owners feel he isn’t the right man, we all should support him, even though we are struggling, the team needs are support now, more than ever, its easy singing when were winning, real fans sing when we are losing, YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE
I completely disagree with you on the following grounds:
1) Andy did NOT have a stinker of a game and have actually played some good games recently but you and the rest of the “Let’s bash the new boys” meets the “Abramovich Brigade” are so set on spouting your negativity that you fail to recognize that. In fact we’ve won more games with Andy in the starting XI than without him.
2) Andy was replaced a few minutes after bringing on Downing who would have plenty of opportunities to deliver crosses into the box, given NUFC were ready to defend their 2-goal lead, and provide Andy with a chance to silence the Geordies and restore some pride. That is poor man management by Kenny and I fully understand Andy’s frustration and anger.
3) Andy’s reaction to the substitution shows me that he cares, that he has the fire needed to become the powerhouse forward he was a 18 months ago when he got regular game time and for that reason he should not be moved on.
Finally I must put forth my utmost contempt for the petition that is copied into the comments by Costasy as it displays a complete lack of support for our team, our manager, the players and clearly signals that YNWA has lost all its meaning in some quarters of our fans. Fans who I suggest swap their red colours for the blue of either Chelski or Man C. in search of their instant succes. Succes which by the way may leave both of these clubs without a trophee and LFC with the possibility of two in case all you disbelieving muppets have missed that.
I sincerely hope all of those socalled supporters who can only find pleasure in slacking LFC off have the descency to stay away from Wembley for the coming semifinal with Everton.
Flauvio you must be one of those ” Support KD at all cost even if it means relegation for LFC”.
The issue here is much bigger than Carroll’s substitution. Its about KD AND DC given achnace to shape our future and fails miserably at it.
Whether we actually signs JM or not is not the main issue. Sacking KD and DC now is.
Carroll, a man whose 35 mill we paid to his former club helped bankrolled half his former club’s new signing and who only faced with their keeper to beat, choose to dive knowing if we got a penalty he won’t take it. What is that word “bottler” comes to mind. When replaced he promptly threw THE SHIRT on the ground and direct 4 letter words to the man who signed and defended him. KD paid 35 mill with the clubs money for him and this is how we got repaid. His replacement af NUFC, Cisse cost 10 mill and scored 7 goals in 7 games.
So what progress are KD talking about? No team spirit, no performance and the only consistency is the games lost coluum.
You are exposed for what you really are, a KD fan rather than a LFC fan, so you are the one who should stay away.
Carroll is facing the pressure and not dealing with it.
Too expensive, too young and inexperienced.
Dalglish I fear has taken the team as far as he can. He has done a great job to stabalise the club and breed in the new owners. It is now time to get some younger blood to take up the slack, get the players working and turn things around.
Kenny has made some on paper good signings that haven’t materialised.
If you think about it, Liverpool haven’t had a decent striker for years leaving out the 2008 Torres, we have been lacking up front.
Let’s get the FA Cup in the bag, spend a bit of cash in the summer, get a new manager in and think about next season, this one is over.
What a rubbish article and even more pathetic comments. Petition to get rid of Kenny? This is Liverpool, not Chelski or City. Just over a year ago we were almost in administration! No player who could command a respectable fee would go anywhere near Liverpool. We paid a premium for the players we could draw to a club without CL football. As for AC, he grew up supporting Newcastle, just started to ‘live his dream’ as their number 9 and gets flogged to LFC for a crazy sum. Pressure must be insane on the lad. I believe he will come right and I believe Kenny will take us to CL. I may not be this season…or next season but Liverpool SUPPORTERS will not let them walk alone………
wishfiul thinking mate
I think most if not all the players brought in will come right, both young guns like Henderson, Carroll and Coates, as well as more established players like Downing and Enrique. The team is low on confidence and there is almost certainly an issue with match tactics – if these can be sorted out we will see liverpool playing to it’s full potential. At the same time, there is little doubt that we need at least one creative player of the quality of Eden Hazard or Iker Muniain, as well as a Prolific goalscorer to provide a different option to Carroll upfront.
You must be smoking something illegal or worse a closet MU fan.
Wasted 85 mill on a bunch of clowns, no tactical awareness, no man management and these days an utter embarassment for LFC whenever he opens his mouth, LFC would be lucky if we don’t get relegated if KD is still around next season.
Say what you like about Chelski, but i notices they are either in the CL or won the Prem every season.
I am worried about my clubs image. Who of any real class would want to join a team in 7-8 position in the league. We should however judge this season when it’s over not now. Are we all psychics or something. An FA cup win seems a long way off but stranger things have happened.
The FA Cup is very possible. They have been very much on their game in the competition. We played well against Stoke and won relatively comfortably.
The Downing goal was pure class – something we hadn’t seen from him all season.
No Mourinho for me. Dalgish should be supported to the hilt until the end of the season, after which he, Commoli and the owners should sit down and decide what they should do next. If they should decide that the King has taken the team as far as he can, the obvious choice for Liverpool manager is a man who knows the club and has the tactical nous and strategic vision to take Liverpool to the next level – Rafa Benitez.
So you believe that liverpool have to trip up on the same stone twice, twice.
Liverpool don’t need a superstar manager but someone with a hunger and an ability to motivate players through good man management. I would prefer to see a younger man, Haughton or even yes, Vilas Boas at the helm. He is still unproven after the spell of trying to change the dressing room at Chelsea. Liverpool are not an aging team that needs to be uprooted and the weeds cleaned out, it is team that has to be rebuilt, from scratch. Dalglish has started, but he won’t be able to take the team any further.
CARROLLS 7 GOALS HAVE COST 5 MILLION EACH-IDIOTS-THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR PAYING FOR BA AND CISSE! AND CABAYE AND TIOTE’S WAGES LOL
Andy was not the worst player on the pitch and he should not have been replaced when we bring Downing on. Downing for my money should play from the start when when AC starts, is not it very obvious? Downing is to put the balls in and AC is to try and win them. Downing is not your blazing speed and trickery winger but he does deliver a ball 10 times better than Henderson.
Throwing the shirt was immature, but then the kid is exactly that, immature. Give him games, give him confidence, I bet Kenny and Stevie G are trying to do exactly that. At least Andy has been trying harder than Henderson, I am sorry but I am so disappointed with him. For some reason fail to see the desire in him. I wish he would run a bit more, take more risks and just ‘get in’ there.
Kenny, Comolli and the owners should sit down at the end of the season and have a long serious discussion. The main reason why Liverpool are doing so poorly in the league is because of the club’s transfer policy. Apart from Enrique, Liverpool’s summer signings have contributed very little and have not shown they are worth their prices. While the club is wasting huge sums of money on mediocre British players like Adam, Henderson and Downing, Newcastle are spending wisely on quality foreign players like Cabaye, Ba and Cisse. Newcastle are doing extremely well in the league because they have invested wisely and have been astute in the transfer market whereas Liverpool are doing poorly because Kenny and Comolli have wasted the owners’ money on overrated and overpriced British players. The owners simply handed the transfer funds to the wrong people. Rafa would have spent the funds much more wisely and with that much money available, Rafa would have built a very strong team. There is no way Rafa would have bought the likes of Adam, Henderson, Downing and Carroll clearly he would have spent it all on on quality players from abroad. It is in the best interests of Liverpool to ask Kenny and Comolli to resign at the end of the season and get Rafa back.
The worst season ever 🙁
All you so called fans that are asking for KD to be sacked are total morons. Come on you have got to him a bit more of a chance. Yes we have lost a lot of games recently but I don’t think you can argue that the quality and style of football has improved tremendously. In the Rafa and Hodgsons eras we were complaining about the way the team played and their strategy when going forward. I think we are all a bit happier with the way the team attacks we only have complaints about individual players now, so generally we are in a better position. Let me conclude by asking if anyone of you remember how poorly SAF started at MANU? Imagine if they had sacked him……