Thank you Andy Carroll

Cheers Andy!
For scoring the winner yesterday and putting us within reach of Europe for the first time in five years.

However, contrary to what some people seem to be saying, the goal yesterday was one for himself and not for us. I don’t mind that at all as it’s done us a favour, but the very notion that us qualifying for Europe was in the mind of the Liverpool number nine is, to be frank, utter pony.

Lest we not forget that team continuity and progression wasn’t exactly in the mind of Carroll back in January 2011 when he hopped on Mike Ashley’s chopper and turned up at Melwood grinning from ear to ear, so why would that suddenly change?

However it is ironic that the moment he walked out on us/left us/was pushed out (delete as appropriate, although I’ll never buy the pushed out theory) our fortunes improved as a football club. Suddenly we had a vast swathe of cash, and look what it has done for us.

At this moment in time it would appear that the decision to sell Andy Carroll or £35m has worked out a treat. It didn’t feel like it at the time as questions arose over Derek Llambias’ assertion that the money would be spent on the team, but just 13 months later the time for questioning is over and the results are in.

Right now we have a team with quality that I’ve not seen in a long time at St James’ Park. Yes there is still work to do and we can still improve, like any team, but to go from Championship to Europe in two seasons is pretty staggering by any stretch of the imagination.

So thank you Andy Carroll,not just for the goal yesterday that made us odds on favourites to play in Europe once more, but for also providing a legacy that has allowed our team to grow at a pace that has exasperated even the most positive NUFC fan.

P.S – If articles are a bit thin on the ground over the next day or so, it’s because I’m in hospital my wife as she gives birth to my child. If there is any news I’ll let you all know in due course.

Have a great day!

About toonsy

A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.

367 thoughts on “Thank you Andy Carroll

  1. Now that wolves are pretty much down, any players you guys fancy?
    Think fletcher will only go somewhere he’ll get first team football. Jarvis would be nice, doyle would be a great 3rd striker. Would like kightly if he was over his injuries, haven’t been too impressed with o’hara this season but wouldn’t say no

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  2. Geordie Deb @ 201 – I would try contacting Niall or Biffa on NUFC.com.
    They know there stuff.

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  3. Dubtoon-Might take Jarvis, but I think that’d be it. Don’t think their strikers are any better than Shola or Bestie if i’m honest. Wouldn’t make transfers just for the sake of it, these two are great lads and will accept squad roles. We need a young hungry striker to take over for loven/ranger.

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  4. True enough, forgot about best tbh 😆 oops. Always a question about whether these players would be happy to play a squad role too

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  5. Robbie Savage on 5live – ‘lets face it Aston Villa are pathetic’ :mrgreen: 😆

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  6. Dubtoon-Exactly, one of the things we have in our favour over other teams is the “team spirit.” And that can’t be underestimated. One or two unhappy players can spoil a great team, as we’ve seen loads of times in the last fifteen years 🙁

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  7. @Newkie
    Well with you on that. I think we’re going to find it hard to buy suitable players this year, generally we just need depth so are going to have to find decent players happy to be “the depth”. Ideal way is to ensure we have promising youngsters for each position that will be capable of challenging for first team in the future with a few versatile experienced heads in the squad.
    Tbh I thought Ranger showed potential last year and think Pardew may attempt to give him an ol cuff and help him realise that potential.

    Used to rate R Johnson quite highly but he’s looked terrible this season, Jarvis is good but we have enough players in that position. I think Kightly looks really good and could be worth a punt should Guthrie go.

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  8. Solano-Exactly, hungry youngsters who are happy to be a bit part, but should get plenty of time if we’re in the Europa. Vuckic, Fergie and Sammeobi are all obvious, with Tav also likely to make the step up. Holding onto Guthrie would be great business, and Gosling should get more chances.

    That covers up a whole midfield, with some defenders. But we do need a hungry striker imo, especially as they’re often very pacey and enthusiastic-happy to run around and close down defenders so they can also be used to see out games/impact sub. Don’t really know who that striker could be though 😕

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  9. Also who do we want to win today lads? Final would be a nice distraction for both-probably more so for Spurs tho as Chelsea are after CL….but a win might turn Spurs form around?

    I’m hoping for a Chelsea win after extra time-will leave them dead on their feet with Spurs even more deflated 😉

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  10. Newkie we don’t know but you sure as hell bet Carr has someone in mind ❗
    I’m pretty confident about the summer, I don’t think we’ll lose anyone. Ba is a million times different to how Jose was, Jose didn’t care towards the end, Ba is the complete opposite, caring so much he reacted in a bad way to being subbed and his form. Not a sign to me of a player looking to leave.
    Obviously an astronomical bid changes all this, but i don’t think we have any wantaways.
    Just a few low key signings and we’ll be looking pretty incredible.

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  11. ST – ‘a few low key signings’ 😯
    nah, we need a quality CB and Left FB. As Priority signings. Then quality replacements for any who leave.
    If we just go for unknowns again, then I cant see a repeat of this season next year. We MUST build on this seasons successes otherwise we will go backwards.
    imo

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  12. Solano-True enough, I’m sure Carr and the gang will have noticed someone. The only thing is we’ll probably never know who it is till they’re through the door, exciting but it makes for a long summer! 😆

    Know what you mean about Ba, i don’t think he actively “wants away” but it all depends on the clause really. If its only 7 mil with half of that going to Ba, why wouldn’t he want to go to PSG? Wouldn’t have too many complaints with him if he did, but i’d be absolutely gutted 😕 Anything would be better than Arry taking him to spurs 👿

    Guess it all depends on the magical clause.

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  13. Beardsley-Aye a first team centre back or a versatile CB/LB would do a treat.

    I actually dont mind who wins, just bring on the injuries :mrgreen: Been a really good game so far tho… 😯

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  14. BB @ 238 agree 100% we should be after a CB and FB that are better or on par with what we have.
    I also think a lot of our fans think we are allready a regular top 6 team, but even though we have done brilliant this year we cant be blind to the fact that we arn’t where we are just because of our own team, but the fact that the other teams arn’t playing as they normally do.
    Yeah we could get another season the same but I think the other teams will be more consistent next year aseason down as a blip 😕

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  15. If Ba leaves, I say we use the money to buy either Adam Johnston or Affeley, both of whom want to leave for more football. If we get Johnston, then him and Hatem can alternate each wing, frustrating the opposition. If we get affeley(who’ll apparently leave barca for £6m, though I think a few more mill will be more likely) we play the forwards as they are
    HBA——–Cisse———Affeley
    The pace on the counter would scare every defence shitless. We’d have cabaye and Jonas to spread balls to each player who each has great control and either side can either cross or beat the fullback and score :mrgreen:

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  16. Ha Ha chelsea hanging on desperately.
    Barca are gonna destroy them lol
    😛

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  17. 246 😆 😆

    Spurs 8/1 now, not a bad shout.

    Dave-agree with you, along with our European fixtures our league form is bound to be affected, I just don’t want people “expecting” a push for champions league next year.

    Our competitors are essentially-Villa (*****, but with a new manager could turn around) possibly scum with heavy investment-Everton if they can ever be consistent, Liverpool if they can gel/spend a load more.

    City, Manure, Arsenal, Chelsea still quality, we’ll need Arry to leave Spurs along with hopefully some players so that we can replace them.

    Still, despite other teams performances nothing can take away what has been a brilliant season for us. Bearing in mind its a new season for Cabby, Ba, Cisse, Santon and basically Benny-it all bodes well 😉

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  18. you just have to look at our goal diff compared to those around us to realise our defence isn’t good enough and lacking too much quality in depth.
    We have to admit that many times this season we have got lucky in defence. We are suseptical to crosses into the box behind our CB’s, yet been fortunate that other teams haven’t taken their chances against us.
    Not convinced we should put our faith on STaylor coming back fit and strong after his bad injury, so I would be looking to spend big bucks on his replacement as the main priority.
    Convinced that if the miracles continue and we get 4th, then we wont lose anyone. 😯

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  19. Tottenham have lost their last five FA Cup semi-finals, 😯
    Only Chelsea have lost 6 on the trot.

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  20. Re comment @ 245. 😳 😳 😳 😳
    kiss of death
    Anothe dodgy decision ruins a match 👿

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  21. Just got back from hospital.No news. Mrs is staying in so I either get a phone call to go back later or go back tomorrow 😥

    Just in time to see the debate for goal line technology reopen once more 😯

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  22. Well that takes the biscuit, just how many dodgy decisions are Chelsea gonna get this season. Christ carry on with this luck and they’ll win the CL.

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  23. Kim – I was reading it on one of those hospital TV/internet/phone things you get in hospital. The ones that cost a fortune to use 😆

    Well done all 🙂

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  24. A “ghost goal just scored. -.-” where’s the video tech. Pathetic. 😕 😕

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  25. Now I know who I want to win, Spurs all day.
    That wasn’t an incorrect ref decision, it was blatant cheating, I refuse to believe that he thought that ball crossed the line

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  26. Well at least you didn’t have to miss a toon game Toonsy 😉

    Beardsley-to be fair our defence has been destroyed in about two games, Spurs and Fulham, where the whole team was gash. Chelsea was unfair as Staylor was already out for their last goals imo. West Brom did scythe through us that once though for the 3-2. I’d agree I think we need a better centre back than Staylor..just incase he’s dodgy when he’s back

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  27. Richie it beggars belief. How could he give it?
    Russian money perhaps 😈

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  28. BB….exactly what I’ve just said to wor lass, absolutely shocking.

    Toonsy…ya bairn takes after ya wallet, doesn’t like coming out in public 😉

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  29. I’m sorry to those who disagree, but I have never heard a rational argument against using goal line technology- at least in tournaments

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  30. MDS…it wouldn’t have made any difference today as the ball never got close enough to the goal line for the technology to kick in 👿 😆

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  31. This result could really knock Spurs for six. Can they recover and keep going for fourth, considering their already poor form – its debatable. QPR away, tough game!

    Chelsea will have games racking up too.

    Good result for us this.

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  32. Well, hopefully Spurs will be deflate for good, and Chelsea foolish enough to think they can beat Barca will go and knacker themselves 😆

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  33. Parker moved his head away from the ball whilst in the wall. Absolute pussio! Wouldn’t catch Tiote doing any of that 😆

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  34. I think this could be a good result for us. Chelsea deflate Spurs, then Barcelona deflate Chelsea. We just cruise steadily into 4th. I hope!! 😉

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  35. Richie – Yeah you’re right. The one thing we did want was some injuries. Hopefully that Drogba injury was a hamstring pull.

    BB – I think I’d rather see Arsenal give Wigan a huge pasting, leaving them in a state for when we play them. Arsenal would then be more likely to do well against Chelsea too. Not very ambitious of me settling for 4th I know 😛

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  36. Spurts look a mess .. lets hope they totally capitulate and chelski focus on the cups matches take their eye off the prem .. coooome on

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  37. Toonsy – get your head down mate, you’re gonna be up all night. 😯
    How far away from hospital are you?

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  38. Jon R-I’d still go for a Wigan win…then maybe they’ll start getting complacent in their play style and we can bring them back to earth…then finish third :mrgreen:

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