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

By Scott Johnson

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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BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Referee Martin Atkinson stands over an injured Andy Carroll of West Ham United as he is given treatment during the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on January 12, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 12: Referee Martin Atkinson stands over an injured Andy Carroll of West Ham United as he is given treatment during the Barclays Premier League match between A.F.C. Bournemouth and West Ham United at Vitality Stadium on January 12, 2016 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Injury Record

Obviously, there’s no defending his injury record. If Andy Carroll was to remain fit for the rest of the Premier League season he’s only just be breaking even in terms of number of games played for the club vs. those he’s missed from the sidelines.

But his injury record has no impact when it comes to what he can do on the pitch. If he’s playing against you it makes no difference if he was out for 6 months at the end of last year. He’s still got to be dealt with.

And outside the top echelon of strikers, Andy Carroll has to be one that defenders hate playing against the most. Because no matter how well you set up and stop balls into feet, if West Ham get a decent ball into the box you’re really struggling to get anywhere near him. Top defenders like Koscielny and Cahill have suffered aerially when competing.