It’s no secret that with Andy Carroll’s injury trouble, he has spent more time on the sidelines than on the pitch for West Ham. This of course has been a huge frustration for the fans, with many criticising Carroll for not justifying his price tag. His performance against Arsenal could be the beginning of proving them wrong.
With £15 million being committed to bring Carroll to the Boleyn, the fans were all expecting big things. While his previous season might have been average, it was good to see the Hammers throwing some money around to try and improve a goal scoring issue at the club.
Under Sam Allardyce, Carroll wasn’t used to his full potential and with the long ball tactic being worn thin, it was easy to see why fans were getting tired of both of them. To give Carroll his credit, he did win a substantial amount of those aerial battles but he was seriously being under used.
Carroll’s injury problems have also caused more frustration for himself and the fans. With football being so much about money in the present day, everyone wants their players’ price tag to be rewarded and for players to complete the job they brought in for. For Carroll that meant goals.
The England international has missed a staggering 77 matches due to injury since his loan spell began with West Ham back in August 2012. In that time, he has managed to net only 21 times and his injuries have had a devastating impact on fitness, form and overall performance, leaving many fans doubting whether it was worth it and if he should still be starting.
Slaven Bilic’s stepping has changed West Ham’s mentality and tactics completely and combining this with the skill and creativity of Dimitri Payet. That brought out the best in Lanzini, Valencia, Antonio and others. It could now be time for Carroll to get back to his best. There has been a noticeable change in how confident the Hammers players have been this season. Keeping the ball longer and making smart progressive passes rather then just lumping the ball up front has lead to a much stronger performance. The whole team seems to be connecting well and the goals and results support this. While Carroll might have spent a lot of time only watching the new side, he showed how well he can play within the team when the Hammers went up against Arsenal.
With the whole team playing less tentative and more attacking, both Creswell and Antonio were flying up and down the wings while managing their defensive duties. Payet ensured the ball flowed and with so many players out wide, stretching the play. There was plenty of room for him and Carroll to shoot from the edge of the box or move the ball out for a crossing. This made all the difference in Carroll’s performance. His aerial ability and heading are by far his best strengths and when spotting early how much trouble it was causing the Arsenal defense, all that was needed was cross after cross.
Carroll delivered brilliantly meeting each ball. He was always looking dangerous. The many corners that the Hammers won provided easy crossing opportunities and Carroll’s dominance in the box got the Hammers back into this match. A powerful header brought West Ham back into the game and anticipating when passes were going to be made Carroll find himself in dangerous positions in the box rather then in front of it to knock the ball on. Being near the penalty spot, he was able to thump an acrobatic half volley into the net to draw the game level before the break and while he might be good with his head, Carroll still has a powerful shot behind him which we have seen little of since he has been at West Ham.
Further pressure by West Ham in the Arsenal box got Carroll his third to complete the hat trick and while the match might have ended 3-3 Carroll showed how much of a threat he can be in front of goal. Rising high and beating everyone else in the box, his clean header went past Ospina, who had no chance of saving the shot. It be a simple tactic, but when you have someone who can be very prolific in the air and a danger in the box, it’s mind boggling why you wouldn’t direct him to always make runs into the box and allow wingers to widen the play and keep the attack moving fast.
During West Ham’s FA Cup quarter final replay against Manchester United, Carroll was still looking powerful. The Red Devils learnt from Arsenal’s mistake and were trying to two-man team him during the game, but when crosses and corners were coming in it was the Hammers’ man meeting the ball first. He was instrumental in West Ham’s goal after rising high and leaping back at the far post to put the ball back across the goal, which Tomkins bravely headed in.
Slaven Bilic said that Carroll might be the best in the England at heading the ball, and he has proven that with the creativity of this West Ham side. He can be a far greater threat in front of goal. That fear can cause all sorts of mistakes during set plays and make space when two defenders are trying to cover him, allowing the play to open up for the rest of the team. If he can stay away from injury, Carroll will definitely be West Ham’s key striker.
