Steve Madeley: Andy Carroll a vocal leader in ‘paralysed’ West Brom squad
Andy Carroll has emerged as a “straight-talking” leader as the West Brom squad has struggled in recent weeks, reports The Athletic’s Steve Madeley.
The ex-England striker came off the bench to transform the game against Huddersfield on Friday night (11 March), equalising with his first goal for the club and making a late goal-line clearance as the Baggies snatched an unlikely point.
Steve Bruce’s side are now unbeaten in two after a dreadful run of four defeats in five games since the former Newcastle boss replaced Valerien Ismael, scoring a solitary goal in February, but it appears the January signing has had an impact behind the scenes.
Writing in The Athletic, Madeley says: “Although some members of the squad have been more receptive than others, The Athletic has been told that Carroll has become a vocal figure in the camp, attempting to demand performances from players paralysed by their own repeated failures when the striker joined them following a spell at Reading.
“Carroll has tried to raise spirits but also raise standards with some straight-talking in recent weeks.
“And when some players have shrunk in the face of criticism and setbacks, Carroll has shown the character required to keep going in difficult situations.”
Challenging
Prior to his match-saving performance at the Hawthorns on Friday Carroll had struggled to make a difference on the pitch.
But it is good to hear he has been making himself useful off the field.
Until the Hull victory, and the last 15 minutes against Huddersfield, the performances have largely been awful.
He is not the player he once was but the striker has scored for England at an international tournament so he should know what standards are required.
It has been an uncomfortable introduction to the club for both the new player and manager, but there are some signs of fight at long last.
Perhaps the impact he had with his goal-scoring cameo will bring some of the less receptive members of the squad around to the ex-West Ham forward’s way of thinking.
With Daryl Dike believed to be close to a return Carroll may have to rely on having an effect with his voice more than his play.
It looks like he has proven he has a role off the bench, and will not be going unnoticed even when he doesn’t feature.
In other West Brom news, Bruce has laid out his position on the influential striker’s contract.
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