Chris Hughton thinks that 20 year-old Geordie striker Andy Carroll was simply unplayable during periods of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Plymouth Argyle at St. James’ Park.
Andy Carroll – thumps home Newcastle’s 3rd goal in great stryle
That’s just like another big Geordie striker earlier this season.
The Gateshead born 20-year-old fired home a terrific volley from the left hand side of the area, at the Gallowgate End, with just six minutes left on the clock.
And a brilliant piece of skill by Andy, could well have added a fourth just moments later, as the 6ft 4ins powerfully built lad kneed the ball with his back to the goal, and then on the turn smashed a shot against the crossbar .
I remember I tried that mpve when I was 20, and landed up in a heap on the ground. 😀
Andy also played a role in Kevin Nolan’s 61st-minute second goal for Newcastle, after the team had looked a little rattled after half-time.
And the England Under-21 man collected the sponsors’ man-of-the-match award and was given some extra praise today from the Newcastle manager Chris Hughton.
“I thought was tremendous in the second-half,”
“He took his goal extremely well. He could have maybe looked to pass but there was only one thing on his mind and it was a terrific finish.”
“He’s been a real big plus for us. We brought him back at Blackpool when he hadn’t done a lot of training but he said afterwards that he got stronger as the game went on.”
“And that was certainly the case again against Plymouth – when he’s in that sort of mood he can be unplayable.”
“He’s a big player for us and, if he stays fit, he will score goals and be a handful for any defence.”
It’s was an encouraging display from Andy, as one thing Newcastle must improve on, as the season progresses, is score more goals than we’ve been doing in the first 8 league games of the season.
Note – don’t forget to vote for Newcastle’s best player on Saturday on our home page, – we’ll announce the results later today.
Comments welcome.
10 comments so far
Toon Graeme
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Comment #1Here is a story for you.
I was at the Empire (went to see Inglorius Basterds) in the gate last night and as I was walking in past the ticket bloke my eye caught a stunning blonde lass about 6ft and curves in all the right places.
Next to her was a bloke and it hit me the height difference until I walked past and suddenly it hit me and I was like – “Thats Ryan Taylor!!”
There you go. Might be wrong like but defo looked like him.
On the thread topic – I thought Andy done his groin in again at one point as he had a challenge and he looked stiff and was grimmecing a bit.
Then he scored so nice one!!
summerof69
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:25 AM
Comment #2Here is a story for you.
I was at the Empire (went to see Inglorius Basterds) in the gate last night and as I was walking in past the ticket bloke my eye caught a stunning blonde lass about 6ft and curves in all the right places.
Next to her was a bloke and it hit me the height difference until I walked past and suddenly it hit me and I was like – “Thats Ryan Taylor!!”
There you go. Might be wrong like but defo looked like him.
On the thread topic – I thought Andy done his groin in again at one point as he had a challenge and he looked stiff and was grimmecing a bit.
Then he scored so nice one!!
TG i also went to watch inglorious basterds except i went on saturday i thought it was a great film and also on the subject of celebrities the other week i seen andrew castle at darlo
Toon Graeme
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:27 AM
Comment #3Summerof69
Cracking film – I nearly wet myself laughin at the part where Brad Pit was suppossed to be speaking Italian and said “Bonjourno” in the most american way possible.
AndyNUFC
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Comment #4Great film.
By the way, I would not go as far as to say Carroll was tremendous.
Now and then he’ll put some work in, but it’s clear to see to everyone that he just doesn’t have the ‘class’ that Ranger does. He’s tall and strong, but he needs to get a bit more class about him.
Gotta say like I think that was Ranger’s best match, every touch was gold.
summerof69
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Comment #5Summerof69
Cracking film – I nearly wet myself laughin at the part where Brad Pit was suppossed to be speaking Italian and said “Bonjourno” in the most american way possible.
yeah lol it was brilliant it had everything i like in a film which is action and humour i thought it was good at the end where the nazis got blew up and that lass made a film to scare the sh!t out them
Whumpie
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Comment #6Really excited about wor Andy and the potential for his development this season. If things go well (and on Saturday’s performance we have to be optimistic) we could have a new premiership-quality striker just when we need on in a year’s time.
Yes, he’s still rough at the edges – but he showed on Saturday that he does have the skills and finesse when needed.
Tom
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Comment #7He was hardly unplayable. He only really made an impact once Ranger came on. Carroll has not got the tools to play up top by himself.
Davy Craig
Sep 21, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Comment #8ANDY NUFC
I agree!
Carroll was great in a couple of moments on the pitch towards the end of the game but he looked jaded and lumbered about without much effectiveness for most of the game. I don’t want to sound like I’m deliberately putting a downer on it as I’m more than happy for the lad and disappointed he hit the bar for what would have been a tremendous goal.
Thing is, he was no good as a lone striker as he has no pace and looked like he’d ran the Great North Run a day early for most of the game. The game was changed when we went to 4-4-2 and Ranger was brought on as a counterfoil for Andy. Ranger was like a livewire and Plymouth really struggled to handle the two strikers. Carroll has many qualities but he needs someone alongside him to be really dangerous.
Nolan was much better alongside Smith and deserved his goal as well.
I would like to see most players rested for tomorrow and have some of the youngsters given a chance. We don’t have a big enough squad to risk more key injuries.
We should then get back to business on Saturday tea time to Strictly Stuff Keano. In my opinion we should play 4-4-2 and go for it in every game and let the opposition worry about us rather than being cautious with the lone striker and packed midfield.
Davey Falcus
Sep 21, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Comment #9“A Gallowgate End fan had earlier discovered what type of mood Carroll was in during the warm-up when a stray effort by the striker left him in need of medical attention after taking one in the face. Kevin Nolan handed the supporter his training top – a souvenir he would never forget.”
That must have been some f***ing shot!
Still least he scored for a training top, that would save him a couple of quid from the club shop ..
Back on subject, I agree with most that have said he was hardly tremendous. Once Ranger once introduced he did become a lot better but I would have rated Ranger higher than Carroll.
And all who have said Carroll can’t play up top on his own, I agree totally. He is far more dangerous with a partner, hopefully Hughton will finally realise this. Ranger and Carroll together would be almost impossible to play against for most CCC defences
Macas35
Sep 21, 2009 at 2:15 PM
Comment #10Agreewwith all those here, Carroll had done nothing until he had Ranger alongside him. The change seemed to do Nolan some good as well, as he had been useless until the changes. Never thought I’d say it but I thought Geremi was the pick of our midfielders.