Billy Wilson

Wed 6 January 2021 19:00, UK

Some Albion eyebrows were raised when the Daily Mail reported that West Brom are interested in signing Newcastle United’s Andy Carroll. 

After all, Carroll hadn’t scored for over two years until he volleyed home a consolation for the Magpies in their recent loss to Leicester.

This is an appalling record for a striker who Albion reportedly want to come in and help keep the club in the Premier League.

A move for Carroll may look bizarre if goals are what Big Sam is after but there is an aspect of the 32-year-old’s game that has gone under the radar.

Last season Carroll registered five Premier League assists for Newcastle which, granted, isn’t a remarkable number.

But considering the forward only made five starts and came off the bench on 15 occasions, this return looks respectable.

He wasn’t scoring himself but he supplied his teammates and he was doing it rather well.

For example, this is a goal that Newcastle scored away at Sheffield United last season created by Carroll.

A long ball is aimed towards the striker and he uses his strength and aerial ability to win the header and accurately flick the ball onto Jonjo Shelvey who has made a brilliant run in behind.

Albion don’t have a player who can be a focal point upfront or a target man that Allardyce is so fond of using.

Carroll adds this dimension as he gets the ball to his teammate who is left one on one with the keeper with Shelvey eventually scoring a well-taken goal.

The former Liverpool man is an aerial colossus as, according to Wyscout, he won 60.8% of his aerial duels last season.

For context, Baggies striker Karlan Grant has only won 13.6% of his aerial duels this season.

This needs to change as soon as possible and signing Carroll would be a good way to improve Albion’s aerial issues.

Another example of something Carroll has in his locker is the ability to pick out a great cross with his left foot.

Now, Carroll won’t find himself out wide often as he doesn’t have any pace anymore and struggles to beat defenders one on one.

Having said that, this is a goal that Carroll assisted last season against Southampton.

Shelvey again is the goalscorer waiting in the box as Carroll picks up an overhit cross right out by the corner flag.

This isn’t just a lumped cross hoping to find anyone in black and white in the Southampton box either.

Carroll sees the run that Shelvey is making and expertly picks out the midfielder who proceeds to head the ball into the net.

This is something that Carroll can bring to Albion that will immediately improve the side.

Of course, you would expect Carroll to be the player in the box heading home crosses but just getting the ball in the box more often would be a significant improvement for the Baggies.

Carroll’s goal record will be a worry and rightly so but it would be wrong to turn down a move for a striker who clearly offers more than just goals.

In other West Brom news, Nottingham Forest are reportedly close to stealing one of Albion’s players. 

Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on the Baggies and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.