Friday, October 2

Does Andy Carroll have a long-term future at West Ham?

Andy Carroll's had a hospital scan on his ankle that was stamped on just after he came on against Norwich, but thankfully there's no lasting damage. Meanwhile Slaven Bilic has said that if Big Andy gets fit he can force his way into the England squad for Euro 2016. You do wonder whether Carroll will suit Bilic's style in the long-term. On the one hand, as a former defender, Bilic must appreciate the physical mayhem Carroll can cause in the box. On the other hand, a mobile striker like Sakho better suits his five-man midfield and counter-attacking, quick-passsing style away from home.

Some fans want to discard Carroll as he symbolises the Allardyce era; though this rather disregards the fact that he's pretty skilful for a big man — remember that dribble and goal away to Swansea and his volley at home to West Brom? Carroll is certainly a useful player to have on the bench when we are chasing games and want to go direct. Though is super sub enough for a £15million striker? To play two strikers we'll have to drop a midfielder, maybe leaving a midfield of Payet, Noble, Kouyate and Moses or Song. We're also going to have to rotate Sakho, Carroll, Valencia and Jelavic in the striker roles. That should suit us this season, but ultimately one of them is presumably going to want to leave for first-team football.

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