Why Isn't Andy Carroll Starting Games?

I really think Andy and our team would really benefit from another pacey winger. If Downing isn't putting in crosses no one else really does, Hendo does sometimes. But with another pacey wideman he'll have Downing and another player doing it. It will make us more dangerous on the counter. Carroll is good at laying off but never really runs forward. He would benefit from a winger burst up the flank knowing a cross is coming in, Downing hasn't really done that much. I fully expect us to get another pacey winger and I think we'll start to see an improve Carroll. I also think he'll score against Wigan.

He just needs to put he ball in the net. He is only 22, give him a chance to get a few goals behind him when he starts getting a run of games and see what happens. He has potential, lets not write him off just yet.

As for why he is not starting? ... he is not part of our best 11 at the moment, simple.

He's not playing well enough to start games and we can't risk having a passenger out there.

He is not starting because he is not playing good enough. The end. Some of us have obviously saw something about him to make them believe he is a world class player, or at least that he is going there - I have not. The moment we bought him I thought he is as good as Babel was, who we had just sold. Although different type of players, in my eyes he was of the same quality. Since then, not much has happened to make me change my mind. I hope for the better of the club, he proves me wrong.

I felt a bit sorry for him yesterday though. Sending him on in the closing stages of a match we'd already put to bed with no intention of attacking any further in was never going to give him much chance to get a confidence boosting goal.

Sure he'll get a start between now and the end of the month with the 3 games coming up.

Up to him to stake a claim as the likes of Maxi, Bellamy and Shlevey have done when called upon.

I think we can delete this now.

Because we've been keeping him fresh in preperation for an 8 game run in the side?

You never know KD might stick stevie up front with the big man on bench still....best keep thread open for now...ha Ah no but on a serious note I would love to see the big man get a few games/goals under his belt, as long as the teams style of play isnt compromised (tend to be alot more direct and slower with andy on).

I think it's time to bring him in, in a system similar to how we used to play with Crouchy - with Suarez and Downing either side of him, chasing in as soon as he has the ball.

Suarez clearly needs some help in games up front - he can't do everything.  I'd bring him in next game.