Carroll + Niko

[zeberdee]

Thought Niko made the difference today, brought composure to the side when he came on.

Seems to me when him and Carroll are on the pitch the passing stuff just seems to work out and brings out the better passing in the team too which opens things up for the attack. I think the team has won 2-0 each time too, Boro, Barnsley, and Blackpool anyway.

That plus Phillips getting on his game turned up the volume and Blackpool couldn't cope with it.

[stainrodisalegend]

Still not completely sold on Carroll. Clearly got the potential to go all the way but still too lightweight. Not nearly as effective as Ince imo.

[zeberdee]

Ince has got something for sure - unless they go up they will struggle to keep him. He drifted out of the game for a bit in the middle but their best player by a mile.

Carroll is different though, plays deeper and he keeps things ticking. The passing game doesn't quite work with just him, or just Niko, but the two together it just seems to click.

Having said that they will probably **** up and have mares next week

[Rangers77]

No more O'Neil please....

[DouDou_87]

Can't really compare Ince and Carroll tbh.

Think Carroll is a more important player than we realise- always an option, never looses possession and plays good forward balls, as opposed to Jenas who takes the easy back or sideways pass 9/10.

O'Neil's been excellent all season IMO- only had a dip last couple of games.

[stainrodisalegend]

Jenas was our best midfield player bar Niko today imho. He made 4-5-1 work because he was looking to attack. Agree with Rangers 77 that O'Neil offers very little. Ince has scored seven goals apparently this season. If we are to persist with 4-5-1 he is precisely the kind of player we need arriving in the box. Good though Carroll and Barton are, they only occasionally get into the box in open play - Ince was there every time Blackpool went forward.

[Rangers77]

Can't agree with you on Jenas, Stainrod. Funny old game ain't it..??

[stainrodisalegend]

Can't agree with you on Jenas, Stainrod. Funny old game ain't it..??

Indeed. Not saying he was amazing but got a bit of urgency into us. Barton was good at times but played incredibly deep.It was undoubtedly Niko that changed it, not just for his own play but the way barton and carroll and phillips were suddenly made to look different players. lets hope he can keep it up then he can become the main man.

[Rangers77]

Yep. Hopefully Niko's season will now begin.

[Wolfy]

Agree, I think people are over rating Carroll. I am not saying he is terrible but he is a bit of a light weight and does makes some sloppy passes but deserves to be in the team over some of the others.

[Stanley]

Jenas was our best midfield player bar Niko today imho. He made 4-5-1 work because he was looking to attack. Agree with Rangers 77 that O'Neil offers very little. Ince has scored seven goals apparently this season. If we are to persist with 4-5-1 he is precisely the kind of player we need arriving in the box. Good though Carroll and Barton are, they only occasionally get into the box in open play - Ince was there every time Blackpool went forward.

Ince and Carroll are completely different types of player, playing different roles in different positions, so it's an invalid comparison. Same applies with comparing Ince to Barton. And Jenas got into the box more today again because that was his position, playing off Austin. Carroll is a deep-lying CM who keeps things ticking, most of his passes are side or forward ones and he rarely makes unforced errors. Taking O'Neil off (who was having a 'mare) and bringing Niko on, transformed us today.

Onuoha was excellent too and agree that Hill needed replacing. Onuoha carries the ball out of defence which Hill never does, he's got 10 times more pace and is strong as an ox too.

So all in all Harry's substitutions made the difference.

[kenthoop]

Carroll is brilliant. Always looking for the ball which is very rare for a youngster. Would love to sign him on a perm.

[Wrighty]

I can't honestly believe that I just read Carroll doesn't lose possession!?!

I was laughing every time he got the ball as every time he just lumped it in to the middle of no where!

In my opinion he is the weak link in the team and I have not seen him play one decent game.

[CroydonCaptainJack]

I can't honestly believe that I just read Carroll doesn't lose possession!?!

I was laughing every time he got the ball as every time he just lumped it in to the middle of no where!

In my opinion he is the weak link in the team and I have not seen him play one decent game.

Have you seen the stats of our games when he has played and when he hasn't?

[Yousef]

Yes Kranjcar made the difference.