Gerrard showed that Carroll could do with great services (who wouldn't), but seriously, Andy's striker instinct is awful to say the least. I can cite at least 2 instants at the top of my head, and I'm sure I can cite more when I have time to review the game.
1. Downing had ball near midfield, cutting inside. Carroll and his marker were outside the box, in the middle. Bellamy ran inside attacking the box from left side, dragging his marker with him, opening up the whole left field. Downing lobbed the ball to Bellamy. PAUSE. At this point, any striker worth his salt should know Bellamy would lay it off, and dart diagonally to the opening space on the left to receive it. Not our Andy though. He stood there like an idiot and only started running after his marker was 10 yard ahead to shut down that space.
2. Near the end of the game, Enrique was clean through down the left, Carroll was the only other red in Newcastle half. A real predator would attack the MIDDLE of the goal and try to stay ball-side of his markers. Not our Andy. His great idea was to run to the far post and ended up at the distal edge of the 6-yard box. Enrique's cut back of courses got cleared out by Magpies defending the middle of the goal. And then he had the gall to have a go at Enrique.
Can Carroll to taught to play intelligent football? I hope it's possible. Because if the only way he can be effective is pin-point early crosses placed squarely on his head -- he's not going to take us anywhere.