Originally Posted By: bigredkop
People seem to be mixing things up here. I would agree that to date Carroll hasn't shown much aptitude for a pass and move style of football, so this is a fair comment.
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But BR does not = (typical) pass and move.

And BR DID play with a Carroll type player last season.


You must have the target man outlet, even if you're playing pass and move. You must have someone who can hold up the ball, because it's far from certain that you will keep your shape for 90 mins against every team for the whole season in 4 competitions. You must have that option.

Carroll provides that option, and also happens to be a significant aerial weapon - if we had better delivery on our 300-odd corners this season (or Carroll played more frequently in games we created many), he could have threatened 20 goals for the season I am sure. Instead most of the time we hit it long to him at the back post to try set someone else up, aimed it at Skrtel, or didn't beat the first man. If you're going to spend a lot of time in the opposition final third, they will concede many corners, and Carroll should be a major threat from them - this should be our bread and butter.

I've mentioned it before - Barcelona demolish everyone who thinks they can take the ball off them. But Barcelona struggle against teams than put 9-10 men behind the ball, let them try their best, and play with discipline. Parking the bus is something of an English staple, and without that option to test the centre backs you won't find space between the lines. Then all you end up doing is taking potshots from 30 yards through a crowded area - hit and hope(less). But if you have strong jumpers and headers of the ball (Carroll, Skrtel, Kelly, even Suarez is no slouch in the air) then you have the option to go over the top (as long as the person delivering the ball is capable, eg SG). Barcelona vs Chelsea saw Terry and Ivanovic utterly dominate - but Carroll bossed them every time they played. It's no secret we've won 5 of the last 6 against Chelsea, and we lost the most important one because Carroll *didn't* start that one!

This is not a player we should be looking to get rid. This is a player we should be looking to exploit.