Green Street Hammers
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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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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) /

One Dimensional

“Andy Carroll is only good when playing a direct game.”

More from Analysis

“He’s not good enough with his feet to be a top striker”

I’m sure every West Ham fan is fed up of hearing these statements. Again, compared to the very top strikers his lack of pace may hold him back, but every team plays to their strikers strengths. Manchester City aren’t about to start playing Aguero as a target man, so why should we compare Andy Carroll to a pacey poacher?

You only have to look at his last few goals to see how versatile he can be though. The right footed finish running off of the Southampton back four. The quickest to react to a keeper fumble at Boro. A thumping header in the same match? And what about the overhead kick? How much more do you want him to provide?

I often feel he’s not given enough credit for his footwork, just because West Ham never ask him to play like that. Yes he’s made a fool of himself with footwork in the past, but as a big man it always looks worse. Remember his lovely stepover goal against Swansea? Surely that counts as good footwork?