Andy Carroll: Great Player being ruined by Liverpool!

I go back to a goal Andy Carroll scored against Arsenal last season for Newcastle at the Emirates. An excellent delivery met with quite stunning header; Carroll looking as though he was in suspended animation rather than going up for a header. He is a player who isn't just your dangly Peter Crouch kind of player, he isn't just an inconsistent Heskey. He is an 'old fashioned' centre forward who has all the qualities that Alan Shearer had at his prime.


Strong, powerful and dynamic Carroll can lead a line as good as any forward in the EPL. I watched him play for Newcastle when they were in the championship and then the five months or so in the premiership before he moved to Liverpool. In that time, I saw a confident young striker who had the potential to become England's leading striker for the next ten years.


He has made one mistake. He signed for Liverpool. Within the whole 50 million pound circus that was the Fernando Torres saga Carroll replaced him for 35 million and was rushed back from injury to please the Kop faithful. During the start of his career at Liverpool he was visibly unfit due to rush back from injury. He also struggled to adapt to Liverpool's style of play which does not suit a centre forward of Carroll's qualities. In fact the only time Liverpool did this was when beat Man City 3-0 at Anfield, Carroll, unsurprisingly, scoring twice.


I watched the Liverpool - Man United game yesterday and I was impressed with Andy Carroll's performance it had to be said. A performance that he can really build on and move forward. However, I hear reports today that Liverpool have tried a swap deal with Man City with Carroll and Carlos Tevez and, if these reports are true, Liverpool are disgraceful. What must Andy Carroll be feeling this morning, knowing that he had played a good game only to be used in a swap deal. The simple truth is Liverpool need to look at the players that are apparently providing Andy Carroll with this "top quality" service as each one of those are not good enough to be playing in a team in charge of supplying Andy Carroll. Stuart Downing can not cross a ball - I think that is why Liverpool are playing him on the right! Jose Enrique could cross at Newcastle but has again been forced to come inside. I don't think I need to even talk about Dirk Kuyt and Jordan Henderson as I think it's obvious to see that they do not possess the qualities provide decent service for Carroll.


If I were Alex Ferguson, i'd be getting onto Carroll's agent and making a deal happen. He would be perfect for Manchester United and Manchester United would be perfect for Carroll as their regime and mentality will make Carroll reach is potential. In other direction with United's ability to put the ball in the box, Carroll would bag a hatful of goals.


Check out this video of Andy Carroll to remind you of the footballer he is and not of the footballer restricted by a poor Liverpool midfield. Keep working Andy, and get out of that football club anyway you can!!

Tim Ream - the right move!

It looks as though Tim Ream will sign for Bolton Wanderers and I believe that for him this is the right move. With Gary Cahill making the switch to Chelsea this would be a perfect opportunity for somebody young to really cement themselves at the heart of a premier league defence. With the success  of Stuart Holden who I believe is a real quality player, Bolton have now looked to sign another US player with great prospects. Holden has really struggled with injury and if Bolton are relegated I am almost certain that he will be one of the first to make a big money move and I think that this could also be the same for Tim Ream if he signs and Bolton go down. These next few months could really catapult Ream into the premier league spotlight and if Bolton stay up, he remains a premier league player and if they go down, he makes the move (if he impresses of course). 


Overall, American soccer players have done well in the EPL and I am surprised that more haven't made the move across the pond. Landon Donovan is a fantastic player and he is a fantastic loan signing for Everton. Clint Dempsey is one of the most underrated players in the EPL and is unbelievable in the air. I remember Brian McBride for Everton who was absolutely fantastic and excellent at leading the line. The goalkeepers have performed the best with Tim Howard, Brad Friedel, Marcus Hahnemann and Kasey Keller being excellent shot-stoppers over the premier league years. Hopefully, Ream won't be a Jozey Altidore or a Jon Spector, I don't think he will as he possesses the pace and technical ability to cope with the EPL. Heres a video showing just how good he actually is.

The Infamous Seal Dribble!! Kerlon!

Would this work in the premiership? An unbelievable piece of trickery from the Brazillian Kerlon who has perfected this unorthodox skill. As excellent as it is,  wonder how often he could do this against the likes of Ryan Shawcross and Joey Barton.

Nedum Onuoha should play against Spurs!

Manchester City have spent hundreds of millions of pounds on some of the best players in world football and now January is again upon us, the Citizens are linked with a wealth of top class players. That capped with losing the Toure brothers in the African Cup of Nations and having Vincent Kompany dismissed for four games leaves Man City pretty short of options, making it very tempting to go into the transfer market for a defender.


However, I say no! Especially when there is a ready made Premier League standard defender waiting in the wings in Nedum Onuoha. He made his first league appearance tonight for over two years for Manchester City which I have to say surprises me a lot. I know that there was a massive bust up with the City board which caused Gary Cook to resign and that he had said a few negative comments about Roberto Mancini's style when he was on loan at Sunderland, but Roberto, please play this guy on Sunday against Tottenham!


He made his debut at 16 years old and I remember him giving Thierry Henry a run for his money at Highbury in a 1-1 draw. He has played at right-back, at centre-back and has also played at left-back. He was England Under 21 Captain at the European Championships and also enjoyed a very successful loan at Sunderland of which I remember him scoring a superb solo effort. He is fast, strong and agile; this is not a "hoof it!" up the field kind of player, this is an extremely intelligent player who shows great tactical awareness and composure. I actually believe that, defensively, he is more adept than Micah Richards - however, he has excelled dramatically this season into a 'Carlos Alberto' type full-back. 


Stefan Savic is only 20 years old and inexperienced in the Premier League and has looked a little shaky in his past few outings. That being said I believe he does possess the attributes of a top-class defender. A Nedum Onuoha, Joleon Lescott central pairing just sounds right to me and one which could get Man City through a tough period as well as kick start Onuoha's City career. 


Selling him would be a waste, just like Daniel Sturridge was, Mancini has already made that clear. However, I plead with Mancini to give Nedum Onuoha a chance as he may just be the saving grace Man City need in this tricky January period. 

Is this the Best Goal Ever!

Is this the best goal ever? Matty Burrows scoring an absolute worldy in the 92nd minute for Glentoran against Portadown however, I wonder whether this is the best goal of all time. Is it better than Roberto Carlos against Tenerife or France? Better than Zidane's volley? Rooney's overhead kick? For me it's pretty special however, if I had to choose then I would say that it was probably Wayne Rooney's vs Man City (I hate to say).

Roberto Carlos Impossible Goal!

Forget Neymar! This has to be my all time favourite goal and one which, I believe will never be repeated! Check out this video that proves just how impossible this was!!

Harry Redknapp Rant

I'm a big admirer of Harry Redknapp's ability to manage and this video offers a great insight into his character and what it is like to play under him. I love the anger in his face and how he just can't let it drop! Redknapp for England!!

Psycho Soccer Player

I love this video! Elizabeth Lambert is the new Vinnie Jones! If I was guranteed this every week, I would be a season ticket holder for sure!!

Transfer WIndow Player Watch - Jordan Rhodes

Hot Property! 25 Goals in 21 Games - Jordan Rhodes is the name on everybody's lips!

I am not sure whether Lee Clark wants to jump for joy or to prepare for a potentially difficult January transfer window as Jordan Rhodes continues to set League 1 on fire with the Premier League scouts circling around the Galpharm Stadium like vultures.

At just 21, Jordan Rhodes is putting in the sorts of displays that have seen him score five goals against Wycombe and earning himself a call up to the Scottish National team. Currently, West Ham are the only team to make an enquiry however, there are a host of teams looking at the former Ipswich player.

So what are the strengths to Rhodes' game; well apart from possessing blistering pace he also has the drive and motivation to chase down defenders and lead the line well. He will be able to cope with the physical nature of the premier league as he has a strong build and the right kind of aggression that will allow him to take charge on the football pitch. However, some may argue that he has not faced any superior opposition as of yet and that he may vanish under the spotlight of bigger name players and the speed and quality of some premier league defenders. Although, I do believe that Rhodes possesses that incredible ability to get into the right position at the right time. You only have to watch Michael Owen play to see how important movement and reactions are for a striker and Rhodes can bring this into the Premier League.

So who should Jordan Rhodes sign for if the Premier League clubs come knocking? First of all, count West Ham out, they do not play the kind of football that would suit Rhodes' style, hence why they have John Carew. I would count Tottenham out because I believe Redknapp wants a marquee signing and may go for Ganso and I believe Rhodes just would not feature as much as he would want to. Mark Hughes will be spending his budget on bringing Roque Santa Cruz to QPR so count them out too. There are three clubs that come to mind that I believe would be the perfect club for Rhodes and they are; Swansea, Everton and Newcastle.

Swansea could go into the second half of the season and completely change their attacking focus; injecting a bit of pace into their front line of Dyer, Sinclair and the "John Macken clone" Danny Graham. With the imminent loan signing of Josh McEachran, Rhodes would have a player there who could play the ball in behind the defence and with Dyer, Sinclair and Routledge could link up with quick pass and move combinations. 

Everton would be another team that would suit Jordan Rhodes. A team that really needs forward players, they are adopting a style of play that suits an 'out an out' goalscorer, it's just that they don't have one! The pace of Drenthe, the intelligence of Cahill and the drive of Rodwell could prove to be the signing that Everton need. 

I see Jordan Rhodes being to Newcastle like Michael Bridges was to Leeds many years ago. A team doing fantastically this season with Demba Ba proving that you don't have to cost 35 million to be a premier league goalscorer. With Ba going to play in the African Cup of Nations this may in fact be the right move for Rhodes. Time to settle in before Ba returns and then a mouthwatering strike partnership to look forward to. With players like Ben Arfa, Gutierrez and Cabaye, there will be plenty of chances for someone of Rhodes' ability to score plenty of goals and be a real top signing of the transfer window.

Could this be Newcastle United's Strike Partnership for 2012?

Sacking Warnock is a good move by Fernandes

Good for the Game but not for QPR!

Neil Warnock's sacking as Queens Park Rangers caught some people by surprise however, I believe that it has been something that has been on the cards since QPR made it into the Premier League. Warnock was at the forefront of an excellent promotion season seeing QPR top one of the most difficult leagues to get out of. People said that he had performed above expectations however, it was a feat that I expected seeing as he had gained promotion with Sheffield United and had excelled under strenuous circumstances at Crystal Palace. 

QPR were tipped to survive in the EPL and maybe go on to greater things however, it was in pre-season that the cracks began to appear. Rumours of the owners allegedly holding talks with Carlo Ancelotti and withholding funds appeared to light the fire for parts of the media who believed he was for the sack. However, with hardly any funds he began to make his first signings most notably DJ Campbell from Blackpool and Jay Bothroyd from Cardiff. Two players that on paper seem to warrant the class of the premier league and signed for a pittance. However, it was in these two signings that my alarm bells began to ring.

There seemed to be a pattern from his first (and only) season in the premier league with Sheffield United and that was the strange tactic of overloading his squad with forward players. Jon Stead and Danny Webber were two names that come to mind; players that had not proved it in the premier league and still have yet to do so. With Bothroyd, he may have got an England call up but he was an unproven premier league goalscorer or even prolific in the Championship. DJ Campbell had enjoyed a great goal scoring season with Blackpool however, this was not the first time he had played in the premier league as he was signed for Birmingham when they were relegated in 2006 and did not score a single goal until he netted against Colchester the following season in the Championship. Campbell played well because of the way Blackpool played; fluid, attacking football where the ball was played, on the ground into space rather than pumped into the box to wait for a knock down. Warnock's teams don't play in the same manner as a team like Holloway's Blackpool they play direct, aggressive with the notion that they can throw three strikers on in the final ten minutes if need be.

However, if I were a chairman in the Championship looking for a way out and I had to choose between Warnock and Holloway, I'd choose Warnock every time as he is a Championship manager; and with that I mean no disrespect. To put a team together that has the motivation, the drive and the consistency to achieve promotion from the Championship deserves there success however, treat it as a step up, not a day out.

One thing that really aggravated me about Warnock's few months in the Premier league with QPR is that he had the chance to achieve stability and to achieve a reputation that managers like Tony Pulis and Alan Pardew are earning right now. When Tony Fernandes bought the club they brought in Wright-Phillips, Barton and Traore, to name but a few. However, he had to count on Helguson to "head" QPR out of a few losses. He post-match team talks were that of a non-league manager drawing a top team in the F.A. Cup rather than that of a premier league manager at an ambitious club. Rapidly declining in the league Tony Fernandes took the decision to do what good businessmen do in this sort of a crisis.

It happened last season when Newcastle and West Brom sacked Chris Hughton and Roberto Di Matteo respectively, where up and coming, talented, managers were being hung out to dry and replaced by the experience of Pardew and Hodgson. Both clubs retained their Premier League status and have excelled this season and I firmly believe that this will happen to QPR this season and the next under Mark Hughes. Hughes has the experience in the Premier League with Blackburn, Man City and Fulham and, even though it didn't quite work out at City, it was a tremendous learning curve.