Steve Bruce must ditch any contract plans for West Brom striker Andy Carroll
Steve Bruce must ditch any contract plans for West Brom striker Andy Carroll in the summer.
The tall and experienced striker produced a shocking performance against Coventry City in the drab goalless draw on Saturday.
Carroll joined the Baggies on a short-term deal, and he has a contract till the end of the season.
There have been suggestions that the striker should be given an extension, but one finds no strong reason for that.
Carroll has impressed only in patches, and there lies the dilemma.
The former Liverpool striker is one-dimensional, and he is not an ideal striker if you’re aiming to win the Championship next season.
The game against Coventry is exactly why Carroll would be a waste of space. There would be games when he could influence with the direct approach and aerial threat, but in most cases, teams prefer to play on the ground.
He won nine aerial headers and attempted six shots as per Whoscored, but how many of them did he manage to hit on target? None. He took some 40 touches and did he make the most use of it? With just over 70% passing accuracy, it can’t be said.
Modern-day strikers are required to drop deep and help in the build-up, something Carroll cannot offer because he is not a pacey striker.
He has managed three goals since joining the Baggies, which is not a great return either. When the supply for him stops, Carroll doesn’t have an answer to how to influence the game.
It was a shocking performance, really. No proper movement and he failed to make any sort of impression. Bruce needs mobile strikers – someone like Dwight Gayle – who can score loads of goals.
The Baggies boss has stressed the need to wheel and deal in the summer, and that as many as three to six players could be signed. Carroll shouldn’t be one of them.
In other West Brom news, Bruce made a bold statement on his team selection after yesterday’s bore-fest against Coventry.
Be sure to follow West Brom News on Facebook for 24/7 updates on the Baggies plus more exclusive interviews with Kevin Phillips.