Lots of Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media after former Toon forward Mick Quinn urged the club to part with dud striker Andy Carroll.
Head coach Steve Bruce welcomed Carroll back to St. James’ Park last summer following his release by West Ham United, but has only been able to call on the 31-year-old to start four of his 13 Premier League appearances to date.
The boss has often been without the veteran target man through injuries, too, having arrived on Tyneside while recovering from ankle surgery, later sitting out a match with a bruised rib, and is currently on the sidelines again having suffered a setback in his recovery from a hip flexor injury while attempting to volley a ball in training.
Carroll’s setback is thought to have cast doubt over his future at St. James’ Park, where he is on an incentivised £20,000-per-week one-year contract that sees the Gateshead-born forward earn around £75,000 for a start and £35,000 for an appearance from the bench.
Quinn is firm in his stance that Toon chiefs should not look to award a crocked Carroll another deal – no matter the terms – even though Bruce is reportedly keen to see the summer free-agent stick around for at least another 12-months.
“If Andy Carroll’s not going to be fit, there’s no point having him here,” Quinn noted in his column for the Chronicle.
Does Carroll deserve another contract?
Yes
No
“We all know a fit Andy Carroll is a handful, whether he’s coming on for 20 minutes or he starts. He puts himself about, he upsets defenders, he’s as strong as an ox and he’ll get a goal or two.
“To me, a fit Carroll is definitely worth keeping for another year. But a Carroll who has hardly any game-time and always struggling with injuries is not good to anyone at any club.
“Newcastle have got to do right by them. If Andy is going to maintain fitness, he’s shown glimpses of what he can do this season. If he can get a consistent run of fitness on the bench or more minutes, he’s definitely worth keeping. But if he’s not and he’s going to be injured, you can’t keep any player who’s not going to contribute.”
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Quinn’s comments…
Completely. Fair enough he throws himself about but hasn’t looked close to scoring. Shows how deprived we are lately when we look forward to him being fit for 5 games a season
— SRELLAIN (@SRELLAIN) February 19, 2020
Unfortunately yes. Massive shame as he gave us a totally different option on the pitch, he can assist goals, he can defend every single ball in the air… Just can’t stay fit! I imagine he’s good for player moral too. The big man looked so promising in those few games 😔
— Ⓐ Ⓝ Ⓣ (@Van_Damme_Moran) February 19, 2020
Pity, because he’s a real handful when he plays. But if he’s never fit, then it’s time for him to call it a day.
— Kev H (@DeKuip02) February 19, 2020
Exactly this !!
— Cinzano Bianco (@cinzanobianco) February 19, 2020
He was only bought in to please a section of supporters. He has been poor the last 3/4 seasons and majority of the time spent on sidelines.
— TMW (@TilehurstsOwn) February 19, 2020
Not even sure the point of the question. We are a football team, not a social club. Waste of a squad place
— Sven11 (@soneilluk) February 19, 2020
Get rid, there’s no room for sentimentality.
— MSW (@Toonattics) February 19, 2020
Reluctantly agree.
— Colin Bestford (@Colin_B_1970) February 19, 2020
If he was fit, I don’t think @NUFC would have him. he would still be at a big club
— BillyBunter (@BillyBu13718581) February 19, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, a £16.2m-rated ace rejected a potential move to St. James’ Park in January.