In the eyes of some, Andy Carroll’s first season back at Newcastle United must have seemed underwhelming. No goals in 19 Premier League appearances is not a good record for a striker. But plenty of Newcastle fans were glad to hear that Carroll had signed a one-year contract extension in June.
Speaking to NUFC TV, Carroll spoke of how he felt he was “always playing catch up” with his fitness last year, and he now believes he is fully fit heading into the new season, claiming he is “feeling better every day.”
Despite his lack of goals, Carroll contributed in other ways for the Magpies last season. He registered five assists, three of which came in games where the goals he set up secured Newcastle all three points.
'I'm feeling better every day'
Carroll also acts as a much better target man than Joelinton, who struggled to win headers and hold up the ball against strong centre backs in the Premier League. While Joelinton should improve after having a full season in the English top-flight, Carroll provides Newcastle with another option if they want to play long-ball football.
The best example of this, is the second goal Newcastle scored in a 2-0 win away at Sheffield United last season. Carroll latched onto the end of a long ball forward, beating Jack O’Connell in the air and flicking the ball to Jonjo Shelvey who ran through and scored.
Newcastle don’t have any other attackers who can match the physicality and ariel prowess Andy Carroll possesses, and when he is fully fit and plays, he can be a handful against any defence.
Carroll must overcome his injury woes
The problem with Carroll is keeping him fit, he missed 11 Premier League games through injury last term and has always been injury-prone. But he now feels confident that he will be fully fit for the new season, and if Newcastle can keep him fit, Carroll could be a huge asset to his boyhood club.
His best season in the Premier League was the 2010/11 campaign when he joined Liverpool in the January transfer window.
He departed Tyneside having already scored 11 goals in just 19 games if Carroll can get back to anywhere near that form it could be the secret weapon Steve Bruce requires to change a game.
The academy graduate will be itching to get his first goal since returning back home and with a full pre-season under his belt, it may be the return many Newcastle fans were hoping for last season.
