After a rather turbulent few weeks off the pitch for Andy Carroll, in which he found himself given bail for assaulting a former girlfriend, was told he had to live with Newcastle club captain Kevin Nolan, and then allegedly went on a drink and drugs binge with said minder, finally it is Andy Carroll’s antics on the pitch that have caught the attention. Having impressed for the Magpies, scoring 7 goals so far this season, he was rewarded with his first call-up to the England senior side for the friendly with France on Wednesday. Through this call-up, I believe Carroll has the opportunity to begin to repair his tarnished reputation, and must take the opportunity afforded to him by Fabio Capello with both hands and a lot of humility.
This, however, isn’t the opinion of former Newcastle manager Glenn Roeder, who, while speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, says he believes Carroll’s inclusion sets a bad example for other young players;
“I’d select him but I’m not saying he should play. I’m not certain he’s sending out great signals to young players… If he is picked the signals for me would be ‘I can do what I want it doesn’t matter, as long as I play well I’ve got a chance to play for England’. The standards should be much higher than that… He’s a great lad around the training ground, coaches love working with him, but by living the way he is he’s not fulfilling the potential that he could possibly fulfil by having just a bit of a quieter life.”
Although I respect Roeder’s opinion, I believe that Carroll himself can turn what could be construed as rewarding negative behavior into something positive by conducting himself in a manner befitting of a player who has been chosen to represent their country. He may have made mistakes off the pitch, but if he can continue to play the way he has been, he can try to transfer the positive aspects of his professional life into his personal life.
Albeit for different reasons, David Beckham was also vilified by fans and media alike, yet when given the England armband in 2000 by caretaker England boss Peter Taylor, he excelled himself, retaining his position when Sven-Goran Eriksson took the reins after Taylor. He put a lot of the negativity associated with him firmly in the past and looked to build on his positive performances in both his private and professional lives.
Andy Carroll has not been given the armband, but he has been given a lot of responsibility in joining the national squad, and for a troubled young man such as himself, this is the perfect opportunity to make a fresh start at becoming both a better football player and a better person.
As Capello himself notes;
“English fans have to understand he is a young player. Everyone makes mistakes… I hope he will change. We have to help him. It will be really important for him to stay with the seniors… He only started to play last season and this season he has exploded. Now he is on fire. He is one for the future of England… I hope that his private life with be better. I hope it will improve.”
And I believe with his England debut waiting around the corner, this could facilitate a better life for Andy Carroll both on and off the pitch.
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