London – Picture the scene: it’s September 10, 2013 and 80 minutes have been played in England’s make-or-break World Cup qualifier in Ukraine.
Though England have defended stoically, Roy Hodgson desperately needs a win to keep hopes of qualifying for the World Cup alive. Then, suddenly, Steven Gerrard launches a swift counter-attack that ends with a gilt-edged opening falling for a striker in the penalty area.
Now ask yourself this question: do you want Andy Carroll to be the man entrusted with finishing the move?
After his latest barnstorming display for West Ham in their 2-2 draw against Manchester United on Wednesday, Carroll is in familiar territory – at the centre of a debate dividing opinion. Some regard him as a forward brimming with muscular aggression, others as a limited lump.
Carroll might be the antithesis of the modern-day forward: it is difficult to suggest there is anything graceful about the way he moves.
If the game is festooned with nippy strikers who dart in and out of channels, Carroll doesn’t have instant acceleration and it takes him a while to reach full steam ahead.
When he hits top gear, however, Carroll takes some stopping and his performance during an absorbing battle at Upton Park showed why there is a feeling he should become England’s first-choice forward.
Sir Alex Ferguson may have complained about the first-half challenge that flattened his keeper David de Gea, when Carroll could have been sent off, but United’s manager tends to complain about players only when they cause a threat.
At the tail end of last season, when he was Liverpool’s No 9, Carroll pummelled John Terry in the FA Cup final after coming on as a substitute, then did so again four days later when the sides met in the league at Anfield.
“You could see John Terry was petrified at times,” Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson said at the time. “Andy is a big lump but he’s good on the ball and works hard. He will scare a lot of defenders.”
Were England travelling to Ukraine next week, Hodgson would be hard pressed to leave Carroll out. Danny Welbeck has played 45 games for club and country this season. He’s scored five goals. Fitness and form issues mean Daniel Sturridge, after a bright start at Liverpool, has not scored in the League since February 17.
Hodgson could fix the Wayne Rooney conundrum by playing him behind the striker, which, it could be argued, is his best position.
But will Carroll get a chance to thrive for his country? Alan Shearer once said Carroll could be England’s talisman and there is little doubt he can cope with big games, as a winner in an FA Cup semi-final and a thumping headed goal against Sweden at Euro 2012 prove.
“That goal for England in the Euros typifies his strengths,” Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers once said. “It was a wonderful ball and piece of skill from the captain (Steven Gerrard) to start it off, a great touch to set it up. Andy got in, then there was an incredible header and finish. Simple. There’s no doubt he’s a very good player.”
He looks more confident and comfortable than he did at Liverpool. Playing for West Ham manager Sam Allardyce suits him better.
Statistics show he is historically better in the second half of a season (33 of his 52 goals in the last five years have come after January 1) but does he have that something special to flourish on the biggest stage of all? – Daily Mail