Shearer backs Carroll.
Posted on July 23rd, 2010 | 58 Comments |
He wasn’t very skillful as a striker, he wasn’t even really that quick, but he didn’t half have a knack of finding the back of the net!
The famous Newcastle number 9 shirt has been passed on from one Geordie to another, with a Nigerian inbetween, as Andy Carroll gets the chance to become the latest local hero.
Alan Shearer has given his backing to the new number 9 and believes he has the mental toughness to take on the role, and that is something our former captain, current all-time record goalscorer and former manager, albeit briefly, has in spades.
“There are a few people who would have shied away from it over the years,” Shearer told The Journal. “But he’s shown some courage to take it. He’s a Geordie lad, and he’s got to enjoy it. I’m pleased for him.”
Whether or not Carroll should or shouldn’t have been given Carroll the number nine shirt has been a hotly debated topic amongst fans. My own view is that there is no harm in giving it to him as we are unlikely to sign anyone ‘worthy’ of it, and by ‘worthy’ I mean a player who has a proven Premier League goalscoring pedigree.
Now Carroll has been given the shirt it’s up to him to prove he is ‘worthy’ of it. At the moment Carroll is only a Championship proven goalscorer with potential. The next step for him is realising that potential and proving he can score goals in the Premier League. To do that though he will need service, from more than one area, which is something Shearer also believes.
“What will be important will be the service they get to him, and I see Wayne Routledge as a main figure in that respect. Hopefully, Wayne’s really settled in, and will have a good season in the Premier League. He’s done well so far.”
“They won’t create so many chances as last year, so the chances that do come along, they have to make the most of.”
Wise words from Shearer which kind of highlights another one of the issues I believe we have with the squad – lack of depth. Routledge has been on fire since he arrived on Tyneside, and from his performance against Carlisle the other day it looks as though he is picking up where he left off. But what happens if/when we lose him through injury? The same applies to Jonas Gutierrez, who will cover either of them?
Still, Hughton is still looking in the transfer market for two or three players apparently and I hope that one of them is capable of covering on either wing. Peter Whittingham wouldn’t be a bad move…
Hint hint!
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I slightly disagree with you Toonsy about Shearers lack of skill I thought he was second only to Beckham when it came to crossing a ball he certainly wasn’t a one trick pony.