Newcastle’s young striker Andy Carroll scored a stunning hat trick in Sunday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa and minutes after the game, football’s media machine was heralding the birth of England’s next superstar.
The 21 year old Gateshead born centre forward pictured right scoring last season aginst Doncaster Rovers (photo by Ian Horrocks), has started this season in impressive style with two good performances in Newcastle’s opening games. But are the media calls of an England call up coming a little bit too soon.
Carroll’s strike rate of 23 goals in 63 appearances for Newcastle is pretty good for a young striker who has also hit the net 6 times in 13 England U19 & U21 matches. His hat trick against Aston Villa on his Premier League home debut will also bring even more comparisons to Newcastle legends Alan Shearer and Malcolm Macdonald. Perhaps being grouped with those famous two might be too early for the six foot three front man with broad shoulders but a troublesome head.
England’s World Cup squad had enough self made bad press from the likes of John Terry and Ashley Cole, Carroll it could be argued has a past which is more than a match for either. His past is one he will regret, but like many young men it may take years before self-condemnation truly surfaces. Here’s a list of the current Newcastle No 9′s past misdemeanour’s.
- October 2007 – Carroll, Scott Sinclair and Ryan Bertrand were sent home from England’s U19 training camp in Yorkshire for breaking curfew.
- September 2008 – Arrested and later cautioned by police for allegedly assaulting a woman in the Pudding Chare district of Newcastle.
- December 2009 – Carroll was arrested on suspicion of causing actual bodily harm after a man had a glass smashed into his face outside the Blu Bambu night club in Newcastle city centre. An October Crown Court case awaits him.
- March 2010 – Team-mate Steven Taylor received a broken jaw after a training ground incident involving Carroll.
Carroll has risen through the youth ranks at the Toon to claim the city’s prestigious No 9 shirt, and his classic powerful centre forward style is well suited to it. I just feel a year’s stint in the Premier League without the added pressure of full international duty might put even more hunger in the young man’s belly, and douse the hot flames inside his head.
Andy Carroll is a player I rate very highly, but I just hope he’s allowed one season to nurture his formidable talent in the Premier League, then he should be unleashed in an England shirt to form a dynamic and potent strike partnership with Wayne Rooney. Opposition centre backs will get bruised just at the thought.
Only Fabio Capello’s judgement and Newcastle Crown Court’s jury stand in his way.
[...] Andy Carroll won his first cap after only being declared fit on the eve of the match. The big Newcastle target man showed his strength in the air and mobility on the ground, he also put in a performance full of running and showed a willingness to track back and work for the team. A couple of chances also gave a glimpse there could be goals in the boy. Along with Gerrard he was England’s best player on the night. Carroll grabbed his chance and is assured of more games. He and Rooney should line up together in England’s next match. 7/10 [...]