Is Andy Carroll the most underrated striker in the Premier League?

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Andy Carroll of West Ham United celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Andy Carroll of West Ham United celebrates scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Andy Carroll of West Ham United in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary's Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 04: Andy Carroll of West Ham United in action during the Premier League match between Southampton and West Ham United at St Mary’s Stadium on February 4, 2017 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)

Andy Carroll can’t stop scoring at the moment. But after high profile transfers gone wrong and a poor injury record, he is still criminally underrated.

West Ham came back up to the capital with three more points after the weekend after another goal scoring contribution from Andy Carroll. THe big man has now scored with his last five shots on target. And since the 2014/15 season he has 20 goals in 33 starts. That is a top quality goal scoring record. So why is he so criminally underrated by many others?

Some opposition fans will always cite his injury record. Some will say he’s too one dimensional for the modern game. Others will say that the money that’s been paid for him has spoilt the player over time. Is he really worth the combined fees that have been stumped up to move him clubs?

So here we take a look at the three big criticisms, and why Andy Carroll should be considered amongst the top strikers in the Premier League.