Joseph Masi has been speaking on the Baggies Broadcast podcast about the one problem West Brom have when playing Andy Carroll.
In January, West Brom managed to land long-term target Daryl Dike, however, after just two appearances for the Baggies, he sustained a serious hamstring injury which is likely to keep him out for at least 11 games according to The Athletic, which led to the club moving for free agent Andy Carroll.
Will Bruce get West Brom promoted?
Yes!
No!
The striker was released by Newcastle United last summer, who were then managed by Steve Bruce after his former boss handed him just 381 minutes across the entire 2020/21 Premier League season, so Carroll may well have been annoyed to have reunited with Bruce at West Brom, although the striker has featured in both of the club’s two games since his arrival.
Masi, though, has highlighted the main negative Carroll brings to West Brom.
“One negative thing about Andy Carroll – and there is only one negative thing – is he really hasn’t got any pace, bless him.
“The issue with him is he has got no pace, as in almost zero. I mean, bless him, when he starts to run, his whole body is running, but he’s only going a little bit quicker than when he’s walking.”
TIF Thoughts on Andy Carroll…
The former England international has played 90 minutes in three straight games for West Brom, which may ease any fears over Carroll not being fit enough to play a lot given his past injury record.
Bruce worked with Carroll for two seasons at Newcastle and will presumably know his strengths and weaknesses. So if he’s going to persist with Carroll as the main striker, perhaps the Baggies have to focus on getting a lot of crosses into the box and less time spent getting Carroll to drop deep and involved in build-up play as it appears he no longer has the legs to lay a ball off and burst into the penalty area.
In other news: ‘Final nail in his coffin’ – Masi shares ‘moment’ which sealed Ismael’s fate at West Brom