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Scribes Q&A: Part I of several. Join in!

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CHOPPER:
Who's the hardest scribe?

Garstonite:

--- Quote from: CHOPPER on October  8, 2011, 10:26:32 pm ---Who's the hardest scribe?

--- End quote ---

Someone called? Awrite you fackin' maaag?

Moving swiftly on:
Q1 - I think most fans are blinkered when a new signing comes in. I'm certainly no different. You focus heavily on their strengths and gloss conveniently over their weaknesses. I can't profess to have seen all that much of him, bar the 3-1 defeat we suffered at St James' Park when he had probably the game of his career, Newcastle's demolition of Villa when he scored a hat-trick and his exceptional display at Old Trafford playing up front on his own in a game I watched in the vain hope Utd would drop some early season points. So, in truth, I'd liked what I had seen an awful lot and was very happy to trust The King's judgement because it was still in his 'honeymoon period' (although, I'm not sure if it's actually ended yet?).
 
Q2 - I don't know whether the price tag has been a burden for Andy. Only he could answer that. At a guess, I doubt it's helped but as a professional I'd have presumed he would have been concerned about his form regardless of his price. I certainly wouldn't say it has been a burden for Liverpool Football Club as a whole though. Once the fee is paid, it's paid.

Q3 - It hasn't been great and there's no real point trying to pretend otherwise. The movement of Maxi, Kuyt and Suarez were the key to our late season success last term and Andy would come in, be far too static and would imbalance the side. Saying that though, his performance against City was marvellous and gives us an indication of what the team could be like with both styles working together in harmony.

Q4 - Strengths - terrific left peg and a great header of the ball. His passing ability and vision are both underrated features too.
Weaknesses - I've been disappointed with his strength since he's arrived. He's bullied far too easily, too often for a man of his size. He needs to become a more imposing figure and his reading of the game is something to be desired at times too. I hope it's just a case of him still trying to get to know some of the new players/our style of play.

Q5 - Good question. There was an interesting moment in the derby when we won a free-kick in Everton territory. Adam stood over the free-kick and Andy positioned himself at the back of the box only for Charlie to play it short and have the move break down. He was quick to criticise Adam, but Liverpool has built its reputation over the years as a passing side. At Newcastle, every opportunity they received, they would get the ball into the back of the box. Barton's delivery was perfect for Andy - hung up, there to be attacked. We were undone with this method at SJP last season when Nolan bundled the ball into the net from one of Carroll's knock-downs.
I don't want to see us becoming a one-dimensional, direct side. We've got too many great ball-players to be doing so. Newcastle used Andy's strengths as their approach. We've bought him to use his strengths as a commodity. He needs to get used to that.

Q6 - It all depends on Andy. If I was him, I'd continue honing the qualities that attracted us to him in the first place, but I'd realise that to become a regular feature in this team, I'm going to really develop on the areas that make him appear to 'imbalance' our side, starting with his movement.

DutchRed:
1. Cast your mind back to January 31st. Liverpool have announced that Fernando Torres wants to leave and is about to join Chelsea. News then breaks that Liverpool have had a bid accepted for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll. What were your initial thoughts about us replacing Torres with Carroll?

Well, I thought that 35M was a huge lot of money for an unproven striker. But then again, it wasn't my money and who the f*ck is a spotty teenager to question King Kenny? I was hopeful that he'd come good  after I saw a lot of good performances from him for Newcastle, but I was very concerned that his young shoulders had to wear the pressure of replacing a name as big as Fernando Torres.

2. Do you think the £35M price tag is a burden for Liverpool & Carroll?

It must be. Two years ago he was totally onheard of and now he's the most expensive English striker in history. The money is paid anyhow, so both Liverpool and Carroll should give everything to make it as good an investment as possible.

3. How would you describe Andy's performances thus far?

He hardly set the world alight to be honest. Both his goals against Manchester City were examples of his talent, though. Once he has completely gelled in with the other players in the team and is playing the Dalglish/Clarke way, he'll come good and will be scoring a few goals.

4. What would you describe as Andy Carroll's strengths and weaknesses?

His strengths? He can pass a bit and posesses terrific heading ability and a left peg that scares the shit out of any goalkeeper. His weaknesses are obvious. He's a bit of a softie in the box, needs to be more clever. And he's a tad slow, but that doesn't have to be a big problem.

5. Some people say Andy Carroll needs to adapt to Liverpool, others say Liverpool need to adapt to Andy Carroll. Most think it's a bit of both, what are your thoughts?

Carroll needs to adapt to Liverpool, no doubt about that. Just because it's harder to make ten men adapt to one than the other way round. And actually, with Downing, Adam, Henderson, Gerrard and Suarez we do have a couple of players who'll make him score.

6. Finally, how do you see Andy doing for the rest of this season, and looking further forward, his Liverpool career?

He'll come good. Not tomorrow, but eventually he will. He is a born goalscorers and born goalscorers always come good eventually. The only thing I'd do if I was Kenny is to give Andy an advisor like Fowler or Rush.

Roy of the rovers:

--- Quote from: StevenLFC on October  7, 2011, 11:29:37 am ---note from Hinesy: This is part one of occasional internal spyin' kop type threads which are generated in the Writers Forum and brought over. Please join in, especially during the international break when this will remain stickied



This weeks subject will be Andy Carroll, as he seems to divide opinion.

1. Cast your mind back to January 31st. Liverpool have announced that Fernando Torres wants to leave and is about to join Chelsea. News then breaks that Liverpool have had a bid accepted for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll. What were your initial thoughts about us replacing Torres with Carroll?

Never thought of it like that. Torres was part of the old world, part of the Rafaloution, part of the great Spanish years. His leaving was part of the club's horror show. I didn't blame him, or any of the current management.

Likewise, Andy was definitely part of the new world. Young, British, a real target man in the Drogba mould. A sldgehammer to replace a rapier.

2. Do you think the £35M price tag is a burden for Liverpool & Carroll?

Yes, no doubt about it. Personally, I think it hard to see him being worth that much to us, but I also think that FSG had to make a statement to keep folks like Pepe onside

3. How would you describe Andy's performances thus far?

OK. I think he's had poor service from wide, and needs more. I think he's now fit, and works hard and is learning how to make his way. Most 'big men' don't peak until 24+ and I wouldn't be surprised if he took a couple of years to become as good as he can be.

4. What would you describe as Andy Carroll's strengths and weaknesses?

No doubt he's good in the air, although he's actually not done that well for us to date. I think the ball sticks to him, and when he comes deep, he links the midfield OK. His weaknesses have been his fitness - no doubt he was off the pace for  along time - too long IMO

5. Some people say Andy Carroll needs to adapt to Liverpool, others say Liverpool need to adapt to Andy Carroll. Most think it's a bit of both, what are your thoughts?

Bit of both. No point in having him if we're not going to put the ball wide and get quality crosses in. Could have bought another striker, another type of striker instead. Equally, he's got to play pass and move as well - we can't be the Barcodes. If anything, I think he's adapting better than the service to him

6. Finally, how do you see Andy doing for the rest of this season, and looking further forward, his Liverpool career?

I think he's going to get better this season, but truth be told I expect him to be no better than OK this season. He's a long-term bet, just like Henderson...


--- End quote ---

stockdam:
1. What were your initial thoughts about us replacing Torres with Carroll?
It depends on how you look at it. I believed that Torres gave us the edge over all other clubs. He was the best striker in the EPL and Carroll was not going to replace him. However Torres left so I was pleased that we bought a player who had a lot of potential. In the past we would have let Torres go and brought in some has-been.


2. Do you think the £35M price tag is a burden for Liverpool & Carroll?
The price tag is not a burden for Liverpool. It may be a burden for Kenny if Carroll fails to deliver. Yes it is a burden for Carroll until he proves that he was worth it; until then he's going to have to listen to the media comments. The bigger burden, which applies to all Liverpool players, is to perform to the highest level in all games.


3. How would you describe Andy's performances thus far?
About 70% of what I expect from him. At times he's been good but this season he really needs to start to perform well and to knock Suarez off the MOTM perch.


4. What would you describe as Andy Carroll's strengths and weaknesses?
His strengths are obvious. He's good in the air and has a great shot. His weakness are that his first touch can be poor and at times he is too static.


5. Some people say Andy Carroll needs to adapt to Liverpool, others say Liverpool need to adapt to Andy Carroll. Most think it's a bit of both, what are your thoughts?
Players cannot really adapt unless they have the tools to do so. Carroll is not going to be a high energy player like Suarez who has great close skill. Hence the team will need to learn how to use Carroll's strengths. We need to get to the bye-line and get quick crosses in for Carroll to head in. He's not going to be effective with one-touch football. Carroll was bought for his strengths........if we wanted a quick thinking forward then we made a mistake in buying him.


6. Finally, how do you see Andy doing for the rest of this season, and looking further forward, his Liverpool career?
I think this is a big season for him. If he stays injury free then he needs to be much sharper and to start to knock in the goals otherwise he'll become an impact sub. If he has a disappointing year then I see him being sold. He needs to grasp the opportunity and play with immense passion and to become a great player.

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