Big Andy

[Niall K]

about playing to his strengths? we still need to give him good service and cross more but we shouldn't become a long ball team to make that happen.

We do try to play to his strengths but at the moment just don't have to necessary quality out wide to really do it effectively.

I don't rate Andy Carroll but do accept that in the past couple of games there has been a marked improvement in his attitude and he has shown the desire necessary to maybe make something of his time at the club. Players who maybe aren't the most talented but have determination and the will to produce something for the club are fine by me and I'm sure most others as well.

Here's hoping he keeps it up

 

[Wizardry]

I think it might. Maybe his recent treatment from the Newcastle fans was a wake up call that he need to leave that behind him and get on with being a fucking Liverpool player.

The way he celebrated his goal makes me think he's ready to try and find adoration here.

I know Macca has commented but surprised more people haven't mentioned this.

Like Macca I was pretty amazed that Kenny allowed him to be subjected to such abuse by his former fans. He had an average match and then to be bought off before the end looked like an effort to see him humiliated. I didn't see it being a good thing.

Since then he's put in more effort and scored bigger goals than at any other time in the last 18 months; it is as though Kenny wanted to let him know he had nowhere to run back home, no safety net with the barcodes. He makes it here or he doesn't make it at all. I don't know if Kenny felt pretty confident but since then big Andy has been a different player. He continues to make stupid mistakes; the miss from Downing's cross (and Downing must think he hates him - he just refuses to give him an assist) was unbelievable. The difference is that he keeps working - even working harder after the failures which is exactly the response we want.

Could turn out to be the most important sub Kenny has made all season.

 

[spider-Neil]

I know Macca has commented but surprised more people haven't mentioned this.

Like Macca I was pretty amazed that Kenny allowed him to be subjected to such abuse by his former fans. He had an average match and then to be bought off before the end looked like an effort to see him humiliated. I didn't see it being a good thing.

Since then he's put in more effort and scored bigger goals than at any other time in the last 18 months; it is as though Kenny wanted to let him know he had nowhere to run back home, no safety net with the barcodes. He makes it here or he doesn't make it at all. I don't know if Kenny felt pretty confident but since then big Andy has been a different player. He continues to make stupid mistakes; the miss from Downing's cross (and Downing must think he hates him - he just refuses to give him an assist) was unbelievable. The difference is that he keeps working - even working harder after the failures which is exactly the response we want.

Could turn out to be the most important sub Kenny has made all season.

I thought it was bad man management as well but you can't argue with the results.

 

[gene hughes]

ha ha

*searches for a 'not sure if serious' picture*

 

[spider-Neil]

ha ha

*searches for a 'not sure if serious' picture*

I don't think I know what you mean? kenny knew full well that when he took carroll off 10 minutes before time the n'castle fans (all 55,000 of them) would let him have it both barrels, who knows what that type of abuse can do to a players confidence.

 

[gene hughes]

Sorry Neil, I think there's a temptation to read too much into, it, that's all. I thought maybe you were being sarcastic with your answer but I was wrong.

 

[spider-Neil]

DJ Moxley@Moxman7 17 Apr 12
@TerryMac777 Who do you think is the Red's most promising young prospect?

Terry McDermott@TerryMac777
@Moxman7 Andy Carroll people still forget he is only 23 he will be a revelation next year
17 Apr 12

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[Peatcheo]

I had more.... Sunny!

Just the one, Peatcheo? Where did it all go wrong, man?

Ive doubled up! 17 aint far off!

 

[Wizardry]

DJ Moxley@Moxman7 17 Apr 12
@TerryMac777 Who do you think is the Red's most promising young prospect?

Terry McDermott@TerryMac777​

@Moxman7 Andy Carroll people still forget he is only 23 he will be a revelation next year​

17 Apr 12​

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That's what we said at the end of last season.

There's talent there for sure but I just don't think he fits the style of play Kenny is managing for; either Kenny has to change that approach/style (I hope not) or Andy is going to be a square peg in a round hole...... IMO.


I know Vlad has high hopes for him and I do respect his view but I just think some people are looking at the player, recognizing he can be very good and thinking that's all there is to it. I'm sure Andy can be a very good centre forward but I just don't think he'll be able to realize that ability with Liverpool.

 

[mark1975]

I don't think the pass and move thing has particularly faltered with Carroll in there, if anything it's given us a bit of brawn that we've sometimes lacked amongst that approach.

I think the whole 'he doesn't fit that style of play' thing is largely a bit of a myth. He might end up not technically being good enough for any top team, but the 'football' philosophy has worked enough times with him in the side.

Occasionally moves falter with him, but on enough occasions he's kept it simple and laid if off to help us build moves and even that's perhaps doing him and injustice, because (especially of late) he's also shown he's reasonably able with the ball at his feet and capable of flicks, or bringing it down and looking for the pass (see Spearing's chance against Everton) or even the old fashioned flick on when needed.

It's great being all pass and move, we all want to be Barca, but if Arsenal have shown us anything, there's definitely a requirement to 'mix it' in THIS league.

 

[Fabio]

*rapturous applause *

 

[Rosco]

Indeed, the people saying he doesn't fit our style (in case you didn't know -we cross the ball more than any other team in the league) are probably basing their opinion on his pre Xmas for, which wasnt suited to any style of football at all.

He's looking decent now. (yes I'm aware we want more than decent for 35m, so save yourself the hassle)

 

[HC]

I think he'll become a cracking player in time.

Ive got a feeling that he'll always have a big miss or two in his locker though..

 

[doctor_mac]

He is still young and there are strikers who bloomed much later than him. Drogba, who falls into that category, is the player he should aim to emulate. If he becomes half as good, we won't have misspent too badly.

Drogba (apart from his shameful injury feigning antics– you just know every time he does that exaggerated limp that would mean a serious injury in most players will turn out to be nothing with him) was magnificent last night for Chelsea.

 

[spider-Neil]

marky laying the smack down as usual

 

[Vlads Quiff]

Well it seemed Dirk fitted in with our "style" of play for long enough and his second touch is a tackle, so I don't see that Andy wouldn't.
As has been said I don't think pass and move has been a serious part of our game for a while. There have been little cameos of it this season, but when you get out passed and moved by Swansea at home you need a rethink anyway.
For vast tranches of our years of success we were hardly an attractive pass and move style team.
What I have come to realise that football is that football really is a simple game being over complicated by fools. It's about knowing your best side and formation and playing it as often as you can, not over-thinking and re jigging for the vast majority of the sides you play.
United don't do that, United have not go the best squad and it's a long way short of being as good as it has been. They move people up and down the pitch in numbers and use width, if someone breaks and throws a ball into the opposition box they know there will be at least four people in there.
regards

 

[spider-Neil]

Well it seemed Dirk fitted in with our "style" of play for long enough and his second touch is a tackle, so I don't see that Andy wouldn't.

someone said about andy 'Andy Carroll, a centre forward whose first touch goes further than most of us go on our holidays.'

that made me giggle

 

[Vlads Quiff]

it may have made you giggle Mr Neil, but a tad unfair, I could think of quite a few people that could apply to before Carroll 😉

 

[spider-Neil]

it may have made you giggle Mr Neil, but a tad unfair, I could think of quite a few people that could apply to before Carroll 😉

it's totally unfair, I was talking about the expression that made me laugh rather than who it was aimed at. I think carroll has good technique, especially loved his one touch lay off to suarez in the semi final.

 

[Hansern]

Drogba didnt get double figures on the scoresheet before he was 24. Now, there is no point in comparing the two but certain strikers/players develop at a different age. I think he didnt want to leave Newcastle, but that he now feels at home with us. He runs towards the fans when we score, he has won a throphy and tasted success and when you hear him speak now he looks determinded and focused.

Confidence is a huge factor of course, and the fact his teammates know how to use his strenghts.
He'll never be a lethal finisher but more than good enough to get 15-20 a season. And if he manages that, we'll be close to winning the league and his transfer fee wont get the headlines.

 

[peterhague]

Kuyt is a much better pass and move player than Carroll even though his first touch is no better, because he's much more intelligent with his passing and movement, is quicker on the turn and more mobile, and much less cumbersome and painstaking in his technique. I can't really imagine a top footballer being less comfortable with a quick passing game than Carroll.