Allardyce ‘desperate’ for striker, West Brom line up PL man with 1 goal in 2 years – report
West Brom manager Sam Allardyce is “desperate” for a new striker and considering a move for Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll after Karlan Grant suffered a big injury blow, according to the Daily Mail.
With the news that Grant will miss up to six weeks of action after sustaining a foot injury, Allardyce will be targeting a replacement for a player that has started 12 of Albion’s 17 Premier League games this season.
Despite Grant’s lowly total of just one goal this season the loss of a regular starter will be a further headache for Big Sam as he looks to arrest a shocking start to the campaign which has seen them win only once in the league this season, a narrow 1-0 win over rock-bottom Sheffield United on November 28.
The Daily Mail report that with Allardyce “desperate” for a striker Carroll is on a list of targets alongside the likes of Bournemouth’s Josh King as the strugglers aim to drastically improve on their meagre 11 Premier League goals this season.
Grant has only scored one of those goals after struggling to make much of an impact following his October switch from Championship side Huddersfield Town.
If West Brom are successful in their pursuit of Carroll then it would reunite the big striker, who is out of contract at the end of the season, with Allardyce for a third time in his career after the pair worked together at Newcastle and West Ham.
Worth a punt?
As Karlan Grant replacements go Carroll is not one who immediately springs to mind, with his aerial abilities a clear contrast to Grant’s nimble movement and runs in behind the defence.
However, in Callum Robinson Allardyce might feel he already possesses a forward who can present similar qualities to Grant.
Therefore a move for Carroll would present a clear alternative in attack for West Brom and offer them an aerial outlet, something they have lacked this season.
He has only played 210 minutes in the Premier League so far this season (WhoScored) but a look back at his stats for the 2019/20 season show his capabilities and the option he would present to the Baggies.
Per Wyscout, only Watford’s Troy Deeney (19.12) was involved in more aerial duels per 90 than Carroll (17.95) last season.
Prior to this season Carroll had endured two barren Premier League campaigns with zero goals in 31 appearances for Newcastle and West Ham.
He made it 39 this season before scoring a consolation in Newcastle’s 2-1 defeat to Leicester City on Sunday, his first goal since January 2019.
With a poor injury history a move for Carroll would appear to be a risky deal while Newcastle might also be reluctant to let him leave to a potential relegation rival.
However if the Baggies are able to strike a deal then it might be a gamble worth taking to present the side with viable alternatives in attack.
In other West Brom news, injury graphic shows Baggies are close to welcoming back duo.
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