Liverpool’s flop striker Andy Carroll knows better than anybody: the way fans treat players is inherently unfair. It’s not the players who work out their own price-tags, it’s the clubs. Which is to say it’s not Andy Carroll’s fault that the Reds thought he was worth £35m, yet Liverpool fans treat him like it is. When you cost your club £35m you can work as hard as you like and bust a gut in every game, but if you’re not scoring regularly you’re a steaming pile of horse manure.
You’re the lowest of the low. You are Satan’s spawn. You are quite simply unforgivable. Indeed I’m quite certain that Andy Carroll received less criticism for his (alleged) acts of violence in the past than he has done for his poor goal return at Liverpool. At least us football fans have our priorities right, eh?
The trouble is footballers aren’t judged on a sliding scale. If you cost your club £35m you have to perform like a £35m player week-in and week-out, regardless of the fact that you’re an overrated, inexperienced youngster probably worth about £10m. That’s why he was so damn impressive at Newcastle. He made a name for himself in the Magpies youth system and then went on to surpass expectations in the Premier League. He was playing without pressure and without the weight of expectation.
All of which is actually somewhat beside the point as my intention at the outset of this article was to heap some much deserved praise on the 23-year-olds head. We’ve all been quick to dish out the criticism when things weren’t going well, so it’s only fair we admit he’s been fairly decent over the course of Liverpool’s last three games. We’re not talking about a return to his old ways here, but it’s certainly a big step up.
Most importantly, he seems to have rediscovered his touch. Previously most balls played into Carroll would balloon off him aimlessly and Liverpool would end up giving up possession. Lately he has managed to make it stick and he has managed to move the ball onto teammates.
Then there’s his work-rate – something that he has perhaps picked up from Craig Bellamy. He’s started defending from the front, harrying defenders and coming deep to disrupt opponent’s play when necessary. Hopefully his goal against Wolves in Liverpool’s 3-0 romp has bolstered his confidence and will act as a sign of things to come.
With Luis Suarez making his return, it’s now up to Andy Carroll to prove his worth. He may not be a £35m player but surely he can provide the goods for this Liverpool side?
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No amount of praising, hailing and saluting from you or the so-called king is going to turn a donkey into a thoroughbred.
Just as watching footie from a coach doesn’t make an expert aeh?
Should read couch not coach
The majority of Liverpool fans never gave up on Carroll because there have always been flashes of what he once was and could be again. He often put a shift in without getting any reward, but now it only needs Downing to start giving him some decent crosses and his scoring will pick up like the rest of his game.
The are rightly treated this way, cos they get paid a fortune in a week to do a job. Those not good at their job should take the stick.
A donkey that scored twice against Man City last season when he had his first run of games since his injury. Get a life Rob! When given the chance, he comes good!
well said mate. Some guys need to grow up!!!
I think Carroll is looking fitter & sharper than at any time since he signed for us, but we will never get the best out of our 6’4 striker until we start giving him decent service. The standard of crosses from all of our players in wide positions, on the whole, has been terrible!!