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Could West Ham’s Andy Carroll be a good plan B for England?

By Scott Johnson

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Lukasz Fabianski of Swansea City collides with Andy Carroll of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Swansea City at London Stadium on September 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 30: Lukasz Fabianski of Swansea City collides with Andy Carroll of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Swansea City at London Stadium on September 30, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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England and Andy Carroll have both had better days. But the West Ham striker could be the answer to England’s tournament woes.

There was a time where it seemed like Andy Carroll was the answer to England’s striker woes. But a few big money moves later and the West Ham striker is not in the England squad. But there are a few people, me included, who think the big man could still go to Russia.

Now I don’t expect him to be the main man. There’s no one that can displace Harry Kane in that role, and rightly so. But there have been times over the past few tournaments where a lack of a plan B has halted England. This is where Carroll could come in.

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In the last big tournament, Euro 2016, England crashed out to Iceland. This was not a result that anyone predicted, but it could have been avoided. Ignoring the horrific defending that led to the goals, a lack of versatility in attack crippled the three lions’ chances.

In Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and players like Alli and Sterling England have a quick and mobile attack. They get ball to feet, get round the back and finish off chances. It’s a very effective method when working well and when the opposition team is also trying to play more expansive football. However it was pointless when Iceland sat with 10 men behind the ball on the edge of the area. Step in Andy Carroll.

When defending against Carroll, you have to force him out of the box. This would either create chances by the defensive line stepping up in order to do that and therefore allowing the defence in behind, or you can get Carroll in the box and that always leads to chances.

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I’m not advocating him starting matches, unless we’re resting players, or even being the first port of call. However there are a number of spaces in the squad that can be reserved for certain situations. Andy Carroll is arguably a better targetman than anyone else in European football. If England don’t at least consider him as a possibility then they’re cutting their options too fine.