With his hat-trick against Arsenal fresh in everyone’s minds it is the best calling card to send for Roy Hodgson’s eyes. There is no better way to send a national coach or any coach for that matter such a strong message than scoring, never mind scoring against one of the Premier League’s best sides. Carroll's hat-trick dealt another blow to Arsenal's already slim Premier League title hopes, leaving the Gunners 10 points behind surprise leaders Leicester City and 3 points behind North London rivals Spurs.
The two tops sides can even extend their points tally over Arsene Wenger’s men as they both have Sunday matches.
But today was about West Ham and especially Andy Carroll, who are currently lying in sixth place with a chance of fighting for the last Champions League spot a real possibility.
Striker Carroll was rarely far from the action in this eventful London derby. He was booked as early as the fourth minute for a needless late tackle on Koscielny. But he was Man of the Match as the Hammers battled back from 2-0 down.
Slaven Bilic, the West Ham boss, quoted Carroll as the best in the world at heading. He also said "Now Andy is fit and we hope he will stay fit. There aren't many players capable of doing what he is doing.” Kevin Keegan stated "he is probably in the top three headers of a ball I have ever seen in football".
Carroll's hat-trick was the fastest in the Premier League this season at seven minutes and 14 seconds and that is in a league and against defences that are accustomed to a physical aerial battle in the box. Imagine the devastation Carroll could cause coming on for last 20 minutes against a side like Spain?
Carroll signed for Liverpool on the last day of the transfer window on 31 January 2011 for a fee of £35 million, at the time the highest amount paid for a British footballer and didn’t really get his Anfield career going. But at West Ham he is returning to his best form.
He has also been referred to as a classic centre forward, owing to his strength, powerful shot, and excellent heading ability. He is never going to be a record goal scorer, he most in one season was for Newcastle United in 2009-10 playing in the Championship, where he netted 19 in all competitions.
So far he has made 9 appearances for England and scored 2 goals. He was included in the squad for the 2012 European Championship and opened the scoring for England with a powerful header in their second group game against Sweden, which England won 3–2.
However, his started 2013-14 season with a heel injury and never made it into Hodgson’s squad for the World Cup in Brazil. Rickie Lambert was taken instead as the man who would do a Carroll type job, but England never made it out of the Groups.
But Lambert was never in Carroll’s class for scaring foreign defenders that are used to a more passive type of attacker. You cannot get better than Carroll at battering defences. Diego Costa has a good go but he’s nothing compared to Carroll.
England has previous in not taking players to tournaments and have ended up paying the price. In 2006 World Cup England lost Michael Owen early on and never really had the cover. Graham Taylor famously dropped star players Bryan Robson and Chris Waddle during his reign. Despite Waddle being in the form of his life at Marsielle and they failed to win a game at Euro 1992 in Sweden.
There have been many more incidents where fans favourites and even stars have not been selected. In 1998 then boss Hoddle left Gazza at home after he was instrumental is helping the Three Lions qualify for France 1998.
In fact Manchester United legend and rock in defence Steve Bruce, never played for the national team. Great strikers that would have been dead cert’ picks anywhere else were not used. For instance the magical Frank Worthington only ever got 8 caps and even more surprising is that goal machine Andy Cole only ever got 15.
There have been grave mistakes in tournaments for our boys, not building a team around Hoddle. Having 40 year Shilton in goal for penalties or not giving game time to best players. But surely with a 23 man squad to fill Roy Hodgson can manage one gamble? By taking Carroll he may just give England that edge that could turn a game. European defenders won’t be able to cope. He needs to be on the bus with the squad come France 2016.
Source: DSG
