Andy Carroll - He's back

[Hound]

Anyway, do we just assume that this or any other deal for a stiker is dead or are the club "locked in talks" with the EFL?

reckon Azeez and/or Joao will be back by the time they get anything sorted now

[Coppells Lost Coat]

Anyway, do we just assume that this or any other deal for a stiker is dead or are the club "locked in talks" with the EFL?

reckon Azeez and/or Joao will be back by the time they get anything sorted now

Probably could add to the list Meite as well

[Millsy]

Everyone is pretending not to notice that if we sign him around Christmas time the signing will technically be a Christmas Carroll.

Thanks.

[SpaghettiHoop]

Don't forget your coat.

[Stranded]

Pre match interview with VP today, he seemed confident that a free agent striker will still arrive, so we may be still talking to Carroll or in talks with others.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Everyone is pretending not to notice that if we sign him around Christmas time the signing will technically be a Christmas Carroll.

Thanks.

LOL

BUT no thanks

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

Everyone is pretending not to notice that if we sign him around Christmas time the signing will technically be a Christmas Carroll.

I agree

[RG30]

Carroll has done a lengthy interview with Alan Shearer in The Athletic, little snippet;

His preference would be a club that would enable him to commute from his Essex base — he “spoke to Reading” during the summer “but nothing materialised”, and he doesn’t know “if it’s still alive” — but he has to be open-minded about what happens next.

“The league (a club is in) doesn’t really bother me as long as the club is right for me and them, that’s what’s important,” he says. “Not knowing where you’re going to end up is the toughest thing. I could end up at Reading, I could end up back at Newcastle, I could end up in Turkey or the United States or wherever, and it’s just that unknown.

https://theathletic.com/2829986/2021/09/17/shearer-meets-carroll-i-thought-i-would-finish-my-career-at-newcastle-ive-still-got-so-much-to-give/?source=user_shared_article

[Brogue]

not sure the US is commutable from Essex. perhaps he needs a map

[Hendo]

not sure the US is commutable from Essex. perhaps he needs a map

I guess that's why he used the word "preference"?

[andrew1957]

1 goal in 43 games over the last two seasons. Really not sure Carroll is the answer. I suspect if we played 17 year old Clarke for 43 games he could manage more than one! And at least he is one for the future rather than one who used to be.

[Snowflake Royal]

1 goal in 43 games over the last two seasons. Really not sure Carroll is the answer. I suspect if we played 17 year old Clarke for 43 games he could manage more than one! And at least he is one for the future rather than one who used to be.

Amen.

[Stranded]

1 goal in 43 games over the last two seasons. Really not sure Carroll is the answer. I suspect if we played 17 year old Clarke for 43 games he could manage more than one! And at least he is one for the future rather than one who used to be.

I'm not disagreeing that he is the answer but that is a massively misleading stat. 14 of his 18 apps last year lasted no more than 20 mins off the bench. He totalled 381 mins and scored 1 last season at a higher level - which is 1 in 4 minutes wise.

It's a moot point as I don't think he'll be coming here now but he would have been a different, experienced option - something we don't have currently.

[Pepe the Horseman]

Also it's not just about goals. It's about having someone who can actually hold the ball up, take the pressure off and bring others into play. But as you say, doubt he's coming here anyway.

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Shame this didn’t work out

[Pepe the Horseman]

Looks like this is happening.

[tidus_mi2]

Reading FC Exclusives on Twitter just said he is signing, WTAF.

We need a striker of course but I hope he has been training with us all this time or he will be well short of match fitness.

[Zip]

Reading FC Exclusives on Twitter just said he is signing, WTAF.

We need a striker of course but I hope he has been training with us all this time or he will be well short of match fitness.

Groan. This suggests 1) Puscas is leaving in January and 2) Clarke is going to be out for a good while.

[NathStPaul]

Reading FC Exclusives on Twitter just said he is signing, WTAF.

We need a striker of course but I hope he has been training with us all this time or he will be well short of match fitness.

Groan. This suggests 1) Puscas is leaving in January and 2) Clarke is going to be out for a good while.

Why is this a bad thing?

[Pepe the Horseman]

Obviously hope it works out, and there's a quality player in there, but I'd be amazed if we get more than 10 games out of him.