Former England international full-back Danny Mills tried to pay Andy Carroll a compliment in Football Insider yesterday. He was speaking about the impact that Andy could have in the Newcastle side this season.
Mills was somewhat complimentary of Andy’s ability while also pointing out that the 30-year-old has not played much recently. However, it was his choice of words that was kind of confusing. This is what the former Leeds defender said about Andy Carroll as an option for Newcastle:
“If he’s fit and you can keep him fit to get him on the pitch for 45 minutes, half an hour, he is one of the best headers on goal there is. Simple as that.
“You’ve then got to play to his strengths – get the ball out wide and get crosses into the box to be able to use that, whether that’s him going for goal or him getting knock downs for others coming in.
“You’re relying on someone that hasn’t played a lot of football, he’s hardly played any football and that’s what you’re relying on as a plan b. You’re scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
We agree that Andy Carroll should not be relied on by Steve Bruce to be the focal point of the attack. Danny Mills seems to agree with this assessment as he is only referencing Andy in a support role and as a substitute.
Andy Carroll– not the bottom of the barrel
The issue is with the phrase “scraping the bottom of the barrel.” We understand the point Mills is trying to get across. He is asserting that you cannot rely on Andy Carroll even as a Plan B. This is a fair point to make.
However, his terminology is quite insulting. Mills could have come up with a better way of expressing his point.
It would be unwise to rely on Andy Carroll in anymore than a support role due to his history of breaking down. But using Andy Carroll as a Plan B is not necessarily a problem and it’s certainly not scraping the bottom of the barrel.
During the summer transfer window, the club gambled with a lot of unknowns. Most of them have to deal with the attack. The glaring issue is where the goals will come from. Newcastle do not have a proven goalscorer in the squad and have only scored 4 so far this season.
Andy Carroll’s fitness is also a gamble. However, he is not going to be the primary factor for Newcastle’s success this season. It will be whether Steve Bruce can get the best out of Joelinton, Miguel Almiron, and Allan Saint-Maximin.
47 comments so far
Assassins Inc
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:32 PM
Comment #1I would hazard a guess that Mills would not stand in front of Andy and say to him, god Andy there scraping the bottom of the barrel with you.
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:33 PM
Comment #2Rotonda heights
Jib
Where do you think we will realistically finish under Bruce?
Mid table and a good FA cup run
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Comment #3JIB
What team is that in regards of ?
We have a policy of not competing in cups
And we look an utter shambles atm
As PR even you must see the mess we are in, it’s blatant
Have you even watched the “ highlights” lately ?
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:36 PM
Comment #4When was the last time we had a good cup run ?
geordietom
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:44 PM
Comment #5hope he dont drop miggy at the weekend , maximin hopefully if he’s fit for sunday , play miggy for an hour then put maxi on . carroll for 15/20 mins if we need him that is . any news on Longstaff for sunday ??…
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:46 PM
Comment #6toon22
When was the last time we had a good cup run ?
toon22
Under Pardew in 2013 we were knocked out by Benfica (the eventual cupwinners)
in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League
Although you as a non Geordie are probably ignorant of this
martoon
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:48 PM
Comment #7toon22- To fair to Jib he was asked his opinion and he gave it – I never saw you commit yourself to a prediction at the beginning of the season!
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 2:56 PM
Comment #8toon22
Jib
Have you even watched the “ highlights” lately ?
bit of a giveaway
that’s probably how you watch footy
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:09 PM
Comment #9JIB
You think we will end up mid table ?
Says all you need to know about football
As for my prediction it seems have been missed at the start i said we would scrape staying in the league
Maybe JIB should get himself to the bookies and put some cash in that prediction as I’m sure he will get fantastic odds lol
Our only chance of it is if Jabba is removed along with the traitor and replaced with someone who cares and it’s remotely competent at their job
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:10 PM
Comment #10Or us that what your saying JIB ?
They will both be removed?
As if so I’ll agree with you
😉
Moonraker15
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:10 PM
Comment #11Danny Mills isn’t the brightest light on the street but who can argue with his assessment of AC?
We are going down, by the way!
First stage of Ashley selling up, so “every cloud…..”
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Comment #12As for AC teams will simply cut out the crosses, not that we get Naby in anyway right now
That would involve a level of tactics way beyond the traitor
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Comment #13Naby – many
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:15 PM
Comment #14Could be worth a daft tenner
https://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/top-10-finish
Munster Mag
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:19 PM
Comment #15Any response from your MP yet frog?
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:21 PM
Comment #16Munster
Let’s hope Jabba is left to his own devices forever?
You seem to love it don’t you, his asset stripping
Proper fan it seems
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:23 PM
Comment #17Munster
Let’s hope Jabba ends us as a footballing institution
Leaves us without an asset in administration, out of the football league
You would love that wouldn’t you
Munster Mag
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #18That’ll be a “no” then.
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #19I was at that benfica game had a decent pitchside seat and thought it was 50/50 most of that game whether we’d get through but in the end Benfica were better of course. – probably the last time both Pardew and I thought the club were trying to achieve something 😐
That’s a long time since a cup run though.
hibbit
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:34 PM
Comment #20Munster when will you be releasing your list of Bruce’s replacements ???
will any of your favorites be on it ?????
Mar 6, 2016 at 11:15 AM
Comment #16
1. I cant see Rafa killing his lovely Cv by going to us.
2. I’m not sure what Brendan Rogers would bring us in the short term
3. Pearson would give us the short sharp shock that we need. He would also help us get out , if relegated
4. Moyes would bring defensive solidity and some respect back to the club. He may not play sweet football but then, neither do watford and everyone loves Flores.
5. If only Pardew had stayed.
My best guess is Moyes but we need a massive clearout in the summer as very few managers sill get consistency from lazy barstewards like Sissoko.”
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:35 PM
Comment #21So much so I think I’ve still got the ticket stub somewhere ha ha
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:36 PM
Comment #22Now now hibbit fairs fair he did say he was only joking on number 5. 😉 😉 Say no more guv…
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:38 PM
Comment #23I think a fair question to follow the “mid table and good cup run” would be “do you think that is satisfactory progress for the club since our last promotion, given the possible resources that could have been utilised?”
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:52 PM
Comment #24@Bleatin
I always felt that Benfica tie was a missed opportunity Pardew took to long to change it and only did so when it was too late although we would have got beat off Rafa’s Chelsea in the final anyway……
hibbit
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:55 PM
Comment #25Lee
still would have been to have got to the final though wouldn’t it ????????
hibbit
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:59 PM
Comment #26*nice*
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:19 PM
Comment #27The Forgettists would like to gloss over the fact that from mid 90’s to late 2000’s we were having “good cup runs” in Europe on a regular year by year basis barring the (very) odd year. It seems some are happy to play down this recent history and substitute it with a grudging thankfulness that Ashley rescued us from it’s clutches.
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:31 PM
Comment #28Some fans love the current setup
It’s Fantastic being a zombie advert for tat direct
We love it when Jabba gambles on players he thinks he will make s profit on
Let’s all get behind him in his efforts to end us as a club
geordietom
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Comment #29toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 3:14 PM
Comment #12
As for AC teams will simply cut out the crosses, not that we get MANY in anyway right now
That would involve a level of tactics way beyond the traitor
can they cut the crosses out for all of the game doubt it …
Bleatin' n Bruced
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:34 PM
Comment #30Even then Pards was saving his first team squad for the league, we got stuffed off the unwashed next ride out so that was a crappy day I remember for all the wrong reasons. That benfica match probably signalled the very end of our recent cup excursions of any kind.
MagpieRanger
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Comment #31Benfica didn’t win the Europa League, Chelsea did.
MagpieRanger
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:42 PM
Comment #32Under none other than Rafa Benitez!
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:50 PM
Comment #33Sorry should have said
knocked out by the finalists Benfica
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 4:52 PM
Comment #34toon22
Some fans love the current setup
I don’t know any
not one
name the swine
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:02 PM
Comment #35Paul Dummett 28 today
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:07 PM
Comment #36JIB
You and your many alts
You defend the guy every time
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:08 PM
Comment #37You are helping the guy end us as a club
I’m as sick of you as I am of Jabba
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #38Although that would mean I think your an actual fan
In my opinion you obviously arnt, the two things can’t be mixed
Love of the club but defends a guy ending it
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:13 PM
Comment #39toon22 Pointing out your many errors of fact and made up shite
is not defending Mike Ashley.
Jib
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:14 PM
Comment #40toon22
Has SDI been suspended from the LSE yet ?
It’s four days from your predicted day of doom for MA
LoL