West Ham Banter Archive August 10 2016

10 Aug 2016 20:31:42
Some of my fellow Hammers are convinced that Carroll as our main man up front this season can get us 20+ goals. Unfortunately I fail to share the optimism and more realistically choose to look at the facts. He's been with us for 4 seasons now, 1 on loan and 3 part of a 6 year contract. Over those 4 seasons he's been injured over 80 games. That's over 2 seasons out in 4 seasons. 2 SEASONS! He's struggled to get 20+ goals over 4 seasons. 4 SEASONS! Have I missed something here? We all know that when he's not injured and he's on it there's not many people better at doing what he does but realistically how many of you think we're going to get 40 games out of him and 20+ goals this season. I just can't see it but if we're not getting another striker I hope I'm wrong! I see him more of an impact sub and a good one at that coming on in the last 20-30 minutes of games changing the dynamic and nicking us a goal if we need it. I hope we don't put too much reliance on Andy Carroll! He might look OK in pre season, he may have a good first month but we know he's probably going to be out for up to a couple of months after that. Then we're be left with Ayew or young Fletcher to play the number 9 role. Just don't work for me personally.

11 Aug 2016 08:12:58
I agree. Carroll as our main striker will not bag us 20 goals. The man gets injured on a monthly basis. Bet he can't even sneeze without getting injured. An impact sub - yes. Someone who can change the game - yes. Someone in tough physical games like palace/ stoke/ everton - yes. Someone we ca n rely on for 30 games and 20 goals - no. If we want that 20 goal striker its going to have to be slinami, bacca or someone else. let's get realistic boys, the team we have at the moment has goals in it. We have loads of mfs who will get goals and I have a feeling will rely on these goals instead of that 20 goal a season striker. Realistically, until we get 4th and become a more attractive club for these 'top players' then its always going yo be difficult to get top strikers as CL clubs snap them up. Remember, you don't have to spend rediculous amounts of money on players. Look at leicester. 1.4m on vardy and marhez. I know its rare to find players like this but they are out there, just need to keep looking. With ayew, fletcher and Carroll and hopefully that argentine player they can share goals. Antonio, feghouli, tore, lanzii, payet, noble will get goals too. Have a sneaky suspicion flecther will be a class acquisition. Keep faith fellas.
HAMMERFAN.

11 Aug 2016 14:53:42
I'm sorry but I disagree I belive with Carroll you obviously know what your getting but there's no one better at it and the defenders will hate facing a fit and hungry Andy Carroll and with confidence he will ruin any defence in the league and with the flair and creativetiy behind him and the crosses in the box I belive he can be during pre season he has looked strong fit and up for it and get juve he was unplayable against a very good defensive side so I hold out hope that he will do well for us.

11 Aug 2016 19:07:25
Can you tell me which season he's got into double figures?

10 Aug 2016 16:36:31
I might be wrong but I can't personally see us getting Bacca now. Mike's recently come on here and explained the finances and I was under the impression that it was Bacca or Ayew and that we couldn't afford both. We were reportedly going for Bacca for about £27m. The way I see it is the board probably approached Bilic and asked him which one he wanted. Bacca who has been messing us about all summer who may take us up to the eleventh hour and say he us not coming leaving us with limited options OR Ayew who is interested in coming to play for us premier league experience, 4 years younger, versatile able to play in a number of attacking positions and is just under 7m cheaper. So instead of a midfielder decides to use Ayew in a more advanced role with Carroll, Calleri and Fletcher and has just under 7m in the pot for another attacking midfielder. Especially considering Tore and Lanzini being out and us not knowing the real extent of their injuries. Curiously now we're apparently bidding 6.8m for Rachid Ghezzal. Another talented attacking midfielder who can play a number of positions across the front line. It seems the aim is to share our goals out amongst a number of players instead of a main man (20-25 goal a season striker) spear heading attack. Someone like Dubuchy on loan to sort out right back problem and at the same time bringing Antonio's goal threat back up top and I think we're be just about done? That's how I'm reading it anyway.

10 Aug 2016 17:24:38
if carroll stays I'd reacon he could be close to 20 goals this year with the supply we've got, personally I don't see what's wrong with byram don't think we need anyone else there got nordveit as cover, said on the rumour page I think they will just eave the bacca offer open and if we get him we get him if not we are good with what we have.

10 Aug 2016 18:32:53
I like byram. I don't think SB does or he doesn't think he's ready. Playing Antonio there is mad. He will get fed up and leave. Play byram at RB and push Antonio up field. Debuchy would be good though and would allow byram to develop under good experienced guidance.

10 Aug 2016 08:00:33
Barbosa for 23m. Young. Looks like he can score goals. Why not bid for him. Would personally like him rather than a 29yr old who doesn't really want to come to us and willl cost more money. Just saying.