WITH the season now confined to the history books I am continuing my look at individuals in the squad and sharing my thoughts on them in general and how I think their year has been, and next to fall under the spot light is our number 9, so ‘howay’ to the big lad.
Those who have seen my previous posts (and if you haven’t why not!!) will know that I am not jumping on the pro-Carroll bandwagon many media outlets and commentators have started because he scored twice at Wembley in recent weeks. No, I have been very strong in my opinions and support for Andy throughout his tenure at the club so far, and the forms that he has showed in the last couple of months have reinforced my views.
But let’s start at the beginning, and the millstone that unfortunately will always dangle round his neck – his cost. Yes he cost £35 million, but as I have stated in my Jordan Henderson review, SO WHAT!!
The whole transfer saga involving Torres and Carroll was absolutely unique and I seriously doubt that we will ever see anything of its sort again, and kudos goes to Liverpool for getting such a massive fee for a player plagued with injury and inconsistent form in the preceding months and to Newcastle for exploiting this very situation to maximise the money for such a young player, the proverbial troubled genius.
They got top dollar, beyond their wildest dreams for a player that despite his impressive form in the Premier League, had given the club untold headaches during his tenure there. His potential was clear, but like many before him would that be wasted because of off the field antics? Fair to say Liverpool took a gamble but likewise couldn’t have expected to get £50 million for a player woefully out of form and fitness who very clearly wanted to leave, forcing the club’s hand with a transfer request.
It mustn’t be forgotten either that the wages Carroll will have signed on for will have been nowhere near what Torres got. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me if Carroll and Suarez combined wouldn’t have been too different to Torres. It is also important to remember to consider that the swift actions taken by Liverpool to bring in a replacement for Torres at such short notice and the willingness to spend the money they received was such a culture shock compared to the H&G era it was simply stunning. The club signed a 22 year old England international on a 5 and a half year deal for what was admittedly an inflated fee clearly driven by the Torres deal, with a clear view to the future and nurturing a serious talent, and anyone who can’t see this perhaps needs further education in football.
As the King said, Andy was signed for 5 and half years and beyond and this is very important to remember as most players take time to settle and adapt, just like one Mr Ian Rush. Patience is the key in football, and as a trait that is sadly growing and growing each year as instant success becomes the driving force. Managerially speaking, two of the greatest managers in history would not have been able to have the impact they had if judged and disposed of in accordance with today’s twitter demands! Step up Messers Shankly and Ferguson.
Other factors that need to be taken into account before getting stuck in to his season are the culture shocks on and off the pitch Andy will have had to adapt to. He will have been taken away from his safety net, from his support network, from a club he has known all his life and supported all his life where he was idolised by the fans as being a homegrown number 9, to a brand new city, with family and friends miles away and to a club with vastly different aspirations, a fanbase mourning the loss of a talisman in the cruellest circumstances to be won over, carrying an injury. Sometimes the acclimatisation of a player into his new surroundings can be instantaneous, especially if the ground is hit running on the pitch, but coming to the club with an injury therefore delaying his debut will have heightened expectation and not allowed the big man the opportunity to ease back from injury let alone ease into a new side.
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From the get go this season it was clear that Andy was not settled as his performances were of those of a man with no confidence and not happy with his football. It was clear he was not fit, it was clear he was frustrated with his own form and subsequent limited starts and success on the field, but I believe it has been quite easy to see him grow as the season has progressed and begin to blossom into the player he can be, and at his age he can continue to grow.
It’s amazing the effect confidence has on a player and perhaps his rise would have been quicker had it not been for a number of goalkeepers, specifically Joe Hart at Anfield. I think the whole squad has had their confidence affected this season due to the lack of goals with the strikers obviously taking the brunt of the frustration.
Yet we have seen Carroll grow in confidence with his performances on the pitch during the second half of the season and it is plainly obvious that the drive and confidence boosting will be coming from the training ground and the staff working with him daily. It is also worth pointing out that since joining Liverpool there have be no stories about his antics off the pitch [Editor: Apart from going to a Boyzone concert…shocking!], and in my mind this points to a very healthy environment at Melwood where young talented players like Carroll, Henderson, Shelvey and the rest are given the patience they require to thrive and prosper. It is this attitude largely continued by sensible, proper fans that make Liverpool such a wonderful club.
The disappointing reviews on Carroll simply refer to his goal tally and price tag, which is lazy at best, which is frankly the way many media mouths operate today. Of course the goal return this year has been disappointing, but it has been for the whole team, so to single out Carroll is rather unfair, as is to relate this to a price tag.
Aguero went to City for same fee I hear you say, he scored loads for them I hear you say, well bully for them, we have signed Carroll and he gets my support. The goals will come, and as I alluded to before, Carroll would have had more goals this season had it not been for some stunning saves, nods specifically to Hart and Vorm. No, it is his all round performance for me that has impressed, which unsurprisingly (at least till he scored at Wembley) has gone unnoticed by the media.
The work rate he puts in up top, as well as the defensive duties he undertakes at set pieces clearly show a team player hungry to do well. I have lost count the number of times towards the end of games where a Liverpool attack or set piece breaks down and one of the first players back to disrupt a break-away is Carroll. It is however the physicality and dominance he can have over centre backs that have really impressed me. It is clear that he has it in his locker, but the game that sticks in my mind where he brought it to the fore was against Everton at Anfield where he simply bullied and owned the turf that night, only overshadowed by a trick from Stevie.
This is the main asset that he can bring to the table and if he can consistently perform like this, and we have seen it against Everton again, Chelsea twice and Blackburn to name a few, not only will he score more but his game and his confidence will thrive. This is the type of player we have been crying out for, for years and it will free up space for the likes of Suarez and Gerrard to operate in. With a fit and firing Carroll and Suarez up top, a defence will not know where to start as the options Liverpool have to bring their attack will include balls to feet, to Carroll’s head, over the top, into space…the lists goes on.
What can happen with just Suarez up top is our forward play can become predictable and slow, as well as giving the opposition the opportunity to get stuck into Suarez and attempt to expose that fiery temper. By increasing the attacking options the opposition defence can’t afford to focus solely on one forward and given their respective talents I can’t think of a defender able to handle Carroll’s physicality on his own or Suarez’s invention and skill on his own (just ask John Terry!).
So to surmise, I think the Andy Carroll we have seen the back end of this season is the player that the club wanted to sign. He is in shape, fit and happy and that is coming across in his football. The criticism aimed at Kenny for starting him in the Cup final is testament to how far he has come, and let’s not forget he is only 23; his best years are ahead of him and we have him. The lad will need continued patience and support and to be shown what a wonderful club we have and I truly believe he will develop into a top class striker and provide for us the sort of impact that Drogba has brought to Chelsea. His desire, work rate, defensive capabilities and knack for bringing others into the game will help the squad thrive and bounce back from this disappointing year.
Please come find me on twitter @timdibs
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brilliant article
andy carroll will continue to fail…dream on…
Good article! Yes, he has good potential but the pressure needs to be reduced. LFC need to bring someone like Luuk De Jong to give Andy an outlet when things are not working.
Both Andy and Suarez also require a creative midfielder (a la Gaston Ramirez or Dembele) to help open difficult defenses. The least the team can do is, sign Diame on free and release Gerrard up front to assist the forwards. A combination of Suarez and Andy or Suarez and De Jong assisted by Gerrard will win games any day!
However, LFC needs a strong defensive midfield and Lucas needs to be backed up by other excellent DMFs or CMFs such as Biglia, Capoue and/or Elm. Diame on free will make an excellent back up.
If we can find solutions to Aquliani, Kuyt, Maxi and J. Cole and loan out Spearing, we will have a better balanced team.
excellent article brian.
ive always believed we have signed a player that will be an asset to LFC regardless of the excessive fee and that kenny will be proved right with both carroll and henderson, although i think henderson will need to be used a little more sparingly next season, most likely as cover for gerrard if the capt can regain his form. the return of lucas plus the addition of quality defensive midfield cover, right winger and a striker should see the well balanced squad that kenny left get the desired cover it needs to challenge higher up the league. an offensive system with carroll at its head,suarez and gerrard deep lying and making runs into the box, with lucas holding and two genuine wide men, one being downing who must surely improve this season, should see us mounting a challenge to the top four or there abouts. add to that the invaluable experience that the likes of hendo shelvey spearing adam and sterling have gained this season then i think we can make strides this season.
one thing that is crucial for us for next season is that we dont see an exodus of the experienced quality players that we already have at the club. agger skertl johnson reina kuyt maxi and suarez are all players that other clubs would willing take off our hands if they think they can prise them away. maybe not so much in the case of maxi and kuyt, but those two are quality international players that we can rely on when injuries and suspensions come about that mean we dont have to rely too much on inexperienced members of the squad too heavily like we have seen in recent seasons.
anyway getting back to carroll. there has been enough evidence in my mind to show that we have got a player that can be a top premier league striker for the next 6/7 years providing that we can find a team that can create enough chances for him to thrive on. i remember saying to my son about 2/3 months before we signed him that he was just the kind of player we needed, but i could never see newcastle letting him go unless it was for silly money. well we came up with the silly money, but if we hold our nerve i think he will pay it back aplenty.
pete.
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