Carroll excels as a human wrecking ball.
As a desperation measure, Andy Carroll isn’t half bad. For all of his limitations – of which there are many – West Ham’s record signing is still a frightening force in the air, a sort of centre back magnet, who draws so much attention at set pieces, he might consider bottling and selling whatever pheromone is attracting all these defenders. His cameo here was brief, not hugely effective, but ultimately telling, when West Ham scuffed home a last-gasp equaliser from a free kick. Carroll had charged in, like a rabid camel, and John Ruddy could only punch the ball against the strapping striker. Kouyate subsequently steered the ball home, and West Ham snatched the point their play deserved. Throwing on the big man, and lumping it to him as the clock winds down might seem a little undignified, tactically speaking, but with Carroll, it can secure you points.
