The Newcastle United Blog

Written by Neil Harrison

2:17pm Thursday, September 26th, 2019

Commented 47 times

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

toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:15 PM
Comment #41
Not denying it then ?
You enjoy helping Jabba end our club
2
Lee Charnley Bunga Party
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Comment #42
@Bleating
That’s what I felt we had Bigiramana playing at some point didn’t we? Never know we beat Chelsea that season when Sissoko played one of those games where he can win a game on his own near enough
Horsed off Sunderland then we got royally destroyed off Liverpool 6 nil that was one of the lowest I have felt as a Toon fan although recently getting absolutely destroyed off newly promoted Norwich was a sickening experience!
2
toon22
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:16 PM
Comment #43
I’m sure your delighted at him mugging them off
I’m sure you look on with glee
2
RobLeenio
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:18 PM
Comment #44
‘Scraping the bottom of the barrel?’
I would suggest that this should be applied to the actions any football media agency which employs a know-nowt like Danny Mills as a pundit, rather than the employment of a home-grown talismanic striker who will strike fear into the hearts of the best defenders in Europe, if fit (I know).
Danny, lad – get over yourself.
0
Genjikai
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Comment #45
Carltoon
It was just saying on the radio there that shelvey is still carrying his injury from last year, that he maybe isnt right still.
1
Munster Mag
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #46
Frog, if Chi hasn’t nailed him, its unlikely that a spotty student from Hemel Hempstead who has never been to Newcastle and thinks the only Haymarket is in London , will lay a glove on him .
2
geordietom
Sep 26, 2019 at 5:44 PM
Comment #47
genji …
seeing your about remember when you said your lass had so much of her uterus took away , just thought i’d let you know wor has has had 5 op’s on her’s they cant do any more . she was told yesterday after having her check up that she’s got to have a hysterectomy . just hope it doesn’t get that far with your lass mate …
not football related but who cares f..k it …
5

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17 February, 2023

I have an update on what's happening with my treatment for prostate cancer.

Last week, my oncologist called me late in the day and said he thought it was best to terminate my treatment with radium 223 dichloride because it was having such a negative effect on my health - specifically my digestive system.

I had completed 3 of the planned 6 infusions.

They had looked at the bone scans and three CAT scans I had early last week, and they showed no signs of the cancer spread being slowed or stopped: in fact, it was continuing to spread and my PSA account continued to rise.

The only treatment left now is to go back and have another bout of chemotherapy with docetaxel being the medication used.

I understand this will be a 7-month job with 10 sessions 3 weeks apart - almost double my first chemo treatment in Apil 2017, when I has 6 treatmnts.

The problem I have is that I'm in a very poor physical state right now, due to my digestive system being basically torn apart by the radium 223.

The radium 223 has leaked into my digestive system and caused me to have severe diarrhea, nausea, and heartburn, and it was (is) very serious.

They said it was too dangerous to proceed with the radium 223 treatment, with little benefit being shown.

I am also suffering from severe exhaustion, basically, because I have zero testosterone, and all the treatments I've had for the cancer, have further lessened the energy available to me.

It reminds me of the saying that if cancer doesn’t kill you - the treatment will (laugh).

It will probably take up to 8 weeks to get back to a physical state where I can start chemotherapy, and that's where I am now, but the cancer continues to spread in the bones.

I've also been put in touch with the dietitian from UNC Healthcare, who will help me get back my health - she is very helpful.

So that's where it stands it's been quite a journey over 12 years and I think I've had almost every treatment available.

It has really taken a toll on my body and on my energy, but that's where it stands and obviously, I'll do the best I can in the upcoming months with chemo and hope I can get through it.

It is as it is - and another challenge in life.

Ed Harrison