Andy Carroll & Wayne Routledge: Debt, promotion and the fans.
Posted on February 18th, 2010 | 39 Comments |
And it seems that the feelings of our fans are a factor that are driving the players forward. I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that after relegation, and in the run up to it in fact, that I was appalled with the seeming lack of effort and willing from the players. It’s just my opinion, but you can only blame what happened behind the scenes so much. After that, it’s up to the players to put on a performance when they ‘cross the white line’, something which a lot of them didn’t.
That’s just what the players have been doing this season. At times it hasn’t been pretty to watch, at times we have lost, but on the whole it has been very effective and that is the reason why we are sitting 3 points clear at the top of the league with 15 games remaining. Come on, if you’d have been offered that at the start of the season you would have snapped their hand off? I would!
Anyway, one of the ‘shining lights’ of recent weeks has been the goal-scoring form of Geordie skyscraper Andy Carroll. The local lad was only really a bit-part player last season but is flourishing this season in what is effectively his first proper season as a regular starter. Speaking to the Chronicle, Carroll had this to say;
“Getting relegated last season was a real downer for the whole city. We owe it to the city to get promoted because it will give the entire place a massive lift. It will lift the fans and the players too.”
“We need to get up and stay up and that’s what we are planning to do. We just need to keep working really hard in the last 15 games to do it.”
Great words from Carroll. At times he has not exactly been easy on the eye, lacking the skill of an Asprilla or the clinical finishing of a Shearer, yet he has been scoring goals. I feel he may have eyes on the vacant No 9 shirt, and if he can keep improving on the pitch and keep his head off it then why not? Talking about his recent purple patch in front of goal, Carroll added:
“I’m happy to be scoring goals and winning matches. At the moment they are coming on a plate for me and I’ll keep on taking them.”
“I’m doing what a striker should be doing. To be on 10 goals with 15 games left is a great feeling. I want to get many more but I know that winning for the team is the most important thing.”
Perhaps a reason for Carroll grabbing more goals is the inclusion of recent signing Wayne Routledge. The right wing wizard has been somewhat of a creative force since his arrival, setting up 4 against Cardiff, earning the penalty last night against Coventry and also grabbing his first Newcastle goal.
Im not sure if many people have seen the goal yet, but it was a cracking 25 yard volley into the bottom corner, and it came at such a crucial time for The Toon after just going a goal down. Describing opening his scoring account, Routledge said;
“It was an unbelievable feeling. The ball came out to the edge of the box, and I caught it quite well. It went in, and the crowd erupted. It was just a nice feeling to get back in the game as quickly as we did.
“I said when I came here I do make goals, but obviously I’m trying to improve my scoring as well. If I can score more and make more, it’s good for me and the team.”
After the performances and results in our last 2 home games, and with the visit of Preston North End to St James’ Park on Saturday to come, I guess the message from all of us is “more of the same please”. Realistically though, any win on Saturday would do. We are at a point in the season now where slip-ups could be costly and we should be seeking to build on a good solid win with another one straight away.
Let’s see if the players keep to their word!
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
Last nights goals;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_naHvwiY-A
Good quality aswell.