West Ham agree fee in region of £15m with Liverpool for Andy Carroll

[JH]

I couldn't disagree more. I think Crouch is overrated by alot of people.

 

He just seems very sloppy and inconsistent in his play, mainly due to his physique. For somebody who should be the perfect header of the ball, he just doesn't put the effort into it (in fact most of the work is done with his feet).

 

I think people underrate Carroll's ability on the floor - he's very good with his feet - I remember one incident in the Sunderland game when he went through about three of their defenders whilst running on goal, perfect example of what he can do. Yeah, his first touch isn't brilliant, but it's no worse than Crouch's.

[PRL]

I couldn't disagree more. I think Crouch is overrated by alot of people.

 

He just seems very sloppy and inconsistent in his play, mainly due to his physique. For somebody who should be the perfect header of the ball, he just doesn't put the effort into it (in fact most of the work is done with his feet).

 

I think people underrate Carroll's ability on the floor - he's very good with his feet - I remember one incident in the Sunderland game when he went through about three of their defenders whilst running on goal, perfect example of what he can do. Yeah, his first touch isn't brilliant, but it's no worse than Crouch's.

 

Agree with all of this.

 

On a similar note, Zigic seems to be the same (although I'm only going off yesterday and Stoke defenders are probably the wrong guage)

[Fugazi]

Carroll puts in excellent crosses in at times as well, canny left peg on him.

[Guest schmuck]

Peter Crouch is fantastic from the bench, the number of times I've seen him come on and change a game when it's fallen into a certain pattern is incredible, not just because he's tall but because he's got a very awkward frame, defenders (and referees) never know quite where they stand with him in terms of fouling or  getting fouled by him. But his unconventional style also makes it very hard to build a high quality team with him as the focal point because, while he is very competent in almost all areas he doesn't quite have the level of ability (his touch is fantastic yes, but he rarely makes good use of it in whatever he does next) or consistency to make his style something to depend on from game to game. I'd have him in the England squad every time from the bench, but Carroll is someone much better to hang your hat on and build your attacks towards

[Guest firetotheworks]

I'm still not getting on board with the Carroll hype yet. yes, he's improved so much, but you only have to look at Carlton Cole to realise that you shouldn't count your chickens.

[wormy]

I'm with KI. As much as he's improved, it smacks more of desperation due to England's lack of quality than Carroll being of international quality.

[Dave]

It's not his fault there's nobody any better (or uninjured) at the moment.

 

Oh and in the vast majority of cases the opponents at international level are far worse than those at club level. I've always hated the term 'international class'.

[Skirge]

It's not his fault there's nobody any better (or uninjured) at the moment.

 

Oh and in the vast majority of cases the opponents at international level are far worse than those at club level.

 

Indeed ... he gets a shot then good luck to the lad

[Guest firetotheworks]

Oh aye, well we all want the best for him, and I hope he steps up and does well. I'm just not believing the hype at all, and hopefully he wont either.

[Dave]

I hope Hughton and others around him are already warning him that as soon as he does something wrong the same silly bipolar lying cunts in the media will come crashing down on him like a ton of bricks.

[Incognito]

How many centre halfs would prefer to mark Carroll rather than Crouch?

I'd say none.

[Guest neesy111]

I've went off Crouch, thought he was good until the last year when he's just become very complacent in my eyes.  Imagine how many goals Carroll could score with Gareth Bale on the LW.

[Mr. Snrub]

According to the mackems, Carroll isn't even good in the air.. the ball just happens to bounce off his head.

 

 

[ElDiablo]

Bored hearing about what they think now.

[colinmk]

You can tell Hughton is very aware of the need for him to keep his feet on the ground, he nearly always points out that he still has a lot to do to become a class striker when asked about him. Hope the hype doesnt go to his head too much and I dont think it will whilst under his wing.

[Disco]

I'm still not getting on board with the Carroll hype yet. yes, he's improved so much, but you only have to look at Carlton Cole to realise that you shouldn't count your chickens.

 

Carroll can trap a bag of sand though, Carlton Cole has yet to master this basic skill.

[Guest Stephen927]

Cole had a few years of mediocrity with several clubs, he didn't look half as good as Carroll at the same age. Can't compare the two tbh.

[Guest Howaythetoon]

Right... except he isn't, as virtually every ball that comes to him at chest height sticks to him and gets laid off. I do not recall berating Carroll at any point this season or at the end of last for persistantly giving the ball away.

 

This isn't about "giving the ball away", this is about technique and close control in general - something which Crouch has consistently displayed as being above average in since day one whereas Carroll has displayed an inconsistency to the point where there is a legitimate claim in saying he's average. In some ways Carroll's control and technique is a bit clumsy and I can see this being an area of his game that will continue to frustrate. Again he is like Shola in regards to his technique and control, a bit hit and miss.

 

I'd say firstly, Carroll doesn't have Rafael Van der Vaart on the end of his knockdowns, making things a lot simpler for him. However, as Carroll now has almost as many (i may be wrong, it may be as many / more) assists as he does goals, he's obviously pretty decent at bringing team mates into the game. As regards attacking the ball / heading on goal, it's pretty crucial if you have a massive centre forward his key asset is going to be headed goals, Carroll is streets ahead of Crouch in this respect.

 

He's decent at bringing team-mates into the game via his hold up play etc. I agree but aerially, Crouch is far more clever and adept with his flick-ons. Of course he is better at attacking the ball as he climbs very well, is aggressive and very strong, but in terms of directing the ball via his head in other ways, i.e. playing team-mates in, knocking down to space etc. Crouch is better.

 

What, you mean like cross body volleys from long high balls?

 

Look at the goals he's scored, he's scored some amazing goals, he's a very good finisher. He can hammer the ball or place it, he can curl the ball into the net or steer it in, he's a cool finisher who has shown himself capable of scoring all types of goals in a number of ways at all levels.

 

Crouch was a Villa reserve when he was 21. He had half a good season at QPR in the Championship when they were relegated then a decent season at Pompey, before he regressed massively for 2 years and had to fight his way back at Southampton. He has continued to yoyo throughout his career, flitting between being just too good and just not good enough for the teams he plays for. I won't argue that Carroll is only off the back of 12 months of ludicrous progress and none of us know how it is going to go for him, but to somehow deduce that he'd be lucky to be as good as Crouch who hasn't really progressed from the player he was at 21, when Carroll seems to have the raw attributes to be a far better player, seems a massive leap to make and based purely on your opinion as opposed to any evidence to the contrary. I'm also sure he's kept awake at night by the fact you aren't convinced by him as a player

 

 

I've never said he'd be lucky to become as good as Crouch, rather he'll be doing well to reach the heights he has in terms of performances and goals scored at PL and international level.

 

Regarding Crouch himself, he's a very underrated forward and someone I personally think would be a good addition to any squad in the world because he gets goals, performs and brings a lot to many a side or game, in a professional quiet kind of no fuss manner. He's unspectacular but massively effective, be it when the ball is played on the deck, up in the air, as a lone striker or as a front pairing. He is also a good partner for his fellow forward as he's shown. Carroll has a long way to go and people really do need to accept this. Some of the comments I've read, some of the reviews and what people say on the street you really would think he's the next Shearer.

 

This is the same player who only last season away to Boro headed a cross out for a throw-in on the right flank, when inside the penalty area. It was easier to direct it goalwards.

 

I've tried hard to get myself all worked up about Carroll who on paper, a young Geordie scoring goals in the Prem as a number 9 for the Toon in an average side... but I genuinley don't see enough stand out assets to suggest he can go onto become something else, something truly class. Not when your Crouch's who are actually a step above average are considered well, average.

 

Fingers crossed he bangs one or two in the neet though eh! Oh and proves me wrong because I'd love nothing better.

[Guest BooBoo]

Christ.

[mrmojorisin75]

[Newcastle Fan]

He's back!

[AyeDubbleYoo]

[Guest Howaythetoon]

 

Carroll is fucking immense, better than Pele.

 

[Dokko]

Right... except he isn't, as virtually every ball that comes to him at chest height sticks to him and gets laid off. I do not recall berating Carroll at any point this season or at the end of last for persistantly giving the ball away.

 

This isn't about "giving the ball away", this is about technique and close control in general - something which Crouch has consistently displayed as being above average in since day one whereas Carroll has displayed an inconsistency to the point where there is a legitimate claim in saying he's average. In some ways Carroll's control and technique is a bit clumsy and I can see this being an area of his game that will continue to frustrate. Again he is like Shola in regards to his technique and control, a bit hit and miss.

 

I'd say firstly, Carroll doesn't have Rafael Van der Vaart on the end of his knockdowns, making things a lot simpler for him. However, as Carroll now has almost as many (i may be wrong, it may be as many / more) assists as he does goals, he's obviously pretty decent at bringing team mates into the game. As regards attacking the ball / heading on goal, it's pretty crucial if you have a massive centre forward his key asset is going to be headed goals, Carroll is streets ahead of Crouch in this respect.

 

He's decent at bringing team-mates into the game via his hold up play etc. I agree but aerially, Crouch is far more clever and adept with his flick-ons. Of course he is better at attacking the ball as he climbs very well, is aggressive and very strong, but in terms of directing the ball via his head in other ways, i.e. playing team-mates in, knocking down to space etc. Crouch is better.

 

What, you mean like cross body volleys from long high balls?

 

Look at the goals he's scored, he's scored some amazing goals, he's a very good finisher. He can hammer the ball or place it, he can curl the ball into the net or steer it in, he's a cool finisher who has shown himself capable of scoring all types of goals in a number of ways at all levels.

 

Crouch was a Villa reserve when he was 21. He had half a good season at QPR in the Championship when they were relegated then a decent season at Pompey, before he regressed massively for 2 years and had to fight his way back at Southampton. He has continued to yoyo throughout his career, flitting between being just too good and just not good enough for the teams he plays for. I won't argue that Carroll is only off the back of 12 months of ludicrous progress and none of us know how it is going to go for him, but to somehow deduce that he'd be lucky to be as good as Crouch who hasn't really progressed from the player he was at 21, when Carroll seems to have the raw attributes to be a far better player, seems a massive leap to make and based purely on your opinion as opposed to any evidence to the contrary. I'm also sure he's kept awake at night by the fact you aren't convinced by him as a player

 

 

I've never said he'd be lucky to become as good as Crouch, rather he'll be doing well to reach the heights he has in terms of performances and goals scored at PL and international level.

 

Regarding Crouch himself, he's a very underrated forward and someone I personally think would be a good addition to any squad in the world because he gets goals, performs and brings a lot to many a side or game, in a professional quiet kind of no fuss manner. He's unspectacular but massively effective, be it when the ball is played on the deck, up in the air, as a lone striker or as a front pairing. He is also a good partner for his fellow forward as he's shown. Carroll has a long way to go and people really do need to accept this. Some of the comments I've read, some of the reviews and what people say on the street you really would think he's the next Shearer.

 

This is the same player who only last season away to Boro headed a cross out for a throw-in on the right flank, when inside the penalty area. It was easier to direct it goalwards.

 

I've tried hard to get myself all worked up about Carroll who on paper, a young Geordie scoring goals in the Prem as a number 9 for the Toon in an average side... but I genuinley don't see enough stand out assets to suggest he can go onto become something else, something truly class. Not when your Crouch's who are actually a step above average are considered well, average.

 

Fingers crossed he bangs one or two in the neet though eh! Oh and proves me wrong because I'd love nothing better.

 

 

Nowt

[Pilko]

:lol :lol: