Pre-Match Press: Carroll In The Spotlight

Andy Carroll is in line to start his third Premier League match since May, when West Ham United host Hull City at London Stadium.

Carroll scored on his Hammers return against Arsenal on Saturday 3 December, and has since been typically combative and postive as West Ham first drew against Liverpool against Anfield, before beating Burnley at London Stadium in midweek.

The four points have lifted the Claret & Blues to 15th in the Premier League table, and Carroll is refusing to look down toward the bottom three, denying they’re in a relegation battle.

“I wouldn’t say we are,” he said.

“We’ve got too many good players and staff. Obviously, the manager has had some people giving him stick as well as we’ve had, but I think we’ve got such a good dressing room with the staff and the players that I don’t think there’s any chance of us being in a battle at the bottom.”

Carroll returned to the side after being ruled out of action since May through injury, and while the striker had considered adapting his playing style to better serve his body, but feels his love for the challenge carries him through.

“To be honest, I don’t really know how to, and I don’t want to [change],” said Carroll.

“I give it 110 per cent every time and I work hard running about and running into people – that’s what I enjoy doing.

“I give it out as much as I get. A lot of people say you’re not allowed to be physical, but I kind of like it.”

His manager, Slaven Bilic, reiterated that he had no qualms over risking Carroll in his second match in four days, and drew a comparison to Tom Hanks’ iconic Forrest Gump. 

“There comes a time, when he is fit and looking good in training, when you just have to put him in,” said Bilic.

“You could say it’s a bit like Forrest Gump and the chocolate box scene. You never know what you are going to get until you open it although, in Andy’s case, you do know you will always get impact and determination.

“He goes straight in and he goes like crazy, 100 per cent, You don’t want him to lose that because that’s key for the way he plays but he has to manage the crucial time when he starts training to have something in between.”