After popular demand, its time to find a match for the big man who has just had a very public lover's tiff.
John Carew - Aston Villa
If you had to make a list of what you were looking for in a successful striker, John Carew would tick most of the boxes. He's big, strong, fairly quick, good in the air, can hold the ball up and can finish, what more do you want from a frontman, or infact any man? Well apparently these arn't the qualities that current Villa boss Gerard Houllier looks for in a striker as he seems to prefer the more questionable talents of Emile Heskey. Unfortunately this isn't quite the full story, as with a lot of the most attractive looking prospects in the dating scene, there seems to be something lacking in the personality department from big John. He's been in trouble before at Villa under Martin O'Neill for some late night escapades, and now Houllier is in charge there seems to be a huge personality clash. The Frenchman has sold John before in his career (to Villa from Lyon) and has recently come out in the press saying he is "stupid" and "living in the past." It's not looking good for this relationship and I think it's time that JC looked for new love.
So who's got a big heart for the big Norwegian?????
Blackburn Rovers?
These are potentially exciting times at Ewood Park with their new Indian investors. The businessmen havn't got people drooling with their claims of £5 million or less to spend in January and the fact they might rename the ground, but these might well just be smoke-screens for a big investment. Even if Big Sam only had the £5m claimed, I think this might be enough to bring John to Lancashire given the fact he's now 31. Rovers have got a fairly average frontline currently, Kalinic has got quality but doesn't score a great deal of goals, Diouf is only on loan, Benjani is inconsistant and Jason Roberts seems to have dropped out of contention and wants to leave. Given the importance that Allardyce gave to Kevin Davies in his Bolton days would suggest he'd love the prospect of working with Carew who is basically a more mobile version of the England striker, Carew being the only person for years that has beaten Davies to the prestigous, most fouls in a Premier League season award. The potentially biggest couple of the year could be about to hook-up in the north-west..........
Stoke City?
John is Tony Pulis' type of striker, big, strong and a presence up front. The Stoke strike force proves this in the form of Jones, Fuller and Sidibe, the latter who is out long -term and even when fit isn't really Premier League quality. Stoke have been struggling for goals of late and may be looking to provide record signing Kenwyne Jones with some more support up top. The potential partnership of Jones and Carew would have many a defender trembling in their boots as they would know they are in for a long hard day trying to wrestle with them. Having spent £8m on Jones in the summer, the Stoke chairman might be less than happy at the thought of shelling out for another big man upfront, but sometimes love doesn't come cheap. John at the Potters could just make an attractive pairing........
Newcastle United?
Chris Hughton is doing an excellent job at Newcastle, and will be looking to further add proven Premier League players to his squad to consolidate their position in the top half of the table. He has shown, especially in the wins against Sunderland and Arsenal, that putting his two big men upfront (Ameobi and Carroll) is a very effective tactic, and although Shola grabbed a couple of goals against the Black Cats he has not been regarded as many at any point in his career as a quality Premier League forward. Big John could be the perfect competition for his first-team place, and importantly for The Magpies and England could help Andy Carroll's development into a genuine top-class forward. Is it time for the geordie faithful to start singing love songs to our favourite Norwegian??????????????
So, who's sneaking each other into their bedrooms without their parents knowing?
There is no doubt that John Carew is a Premier League quality striker, and he could do a good job for most teams in the division if he stays fit. However, after showing his attitude problems and at his age it is only going to be a slight step down from Villa (no disrespect to these clubs) that he is going to achieve. All three of these suitors are distinct possibilities but I am going to matchmake John today with his fellow big man at Ewood Park. Allardyce has a stunning track record at dealing with ageing egos and getting the best out of players seemingly unwanted elsewhere. John would also be sure to feel the love as he would certainly be a first team regular for Rovers and potentially him and Kalinic could create a nice little partnership. Will Big Sam be splashing the Rupees in January to get John loved up again? Let's hope so.
Villa fans, is it time for John to look for new love interests?
Blackburn, Stoke, Newcastle fans, would you want him in your teams?
Who else wants to have the affections of the Norwegian?
This is perhaps the candidate most deserving of a move yet, (bollocks to David Bentley). I think you've hit the nail on the head with Blackburn, he fits the bill in just about every sense- he'll act as a battering ram to create space for Dunne, considerable aerial threat, temperamental personality and he hates Jason Roberts. His early signings after promotion with Bolton show his willingness to put age to one side where other managers perhaps wouldn't.
ReplyDeleteThe only concern I do have is about his willingness to follow instructions (one of both O'Neill and Houllier's complaints)and something that Sam, with his massive reliance on opta-stats, prozone analysis, playing the percentages etc, puts a great deal of importance on.
On a wider issue, one of tactical evolution, why are many managers increasingly looking to two big forwards to form their attacking duos.
In the two games last night, Jerome (6 ft 1) and Zigic (6 ft 7) played against Jones and (6 ft 2) and Fuller (6 ft 3)
and
Wellbeck and Gyan (both 6ft 2) faced Crouch (6 ft 7) and Pav (6 ft 2)
Who would Carew pair up with at Blackburn, do they have the wingers to best use him and how well would he get on with El Hadj Diouf?
I think the two big men up front shows the difference between certain teams in the Prem. As much as it is lauded as the best league in the world, there is still a huge amount of long ball played by teams. Watching the Villa Birmingham game the other week the ball barely touched the floor while they hoofed it up to Heskey or Zigic all day. Newcastle play similarly with Carroll and Ameobi as do a few others.
ReplyDeleteBlackburn have Pederson who has quality and Emerton's a consistant performer so deliver wouldn't be too much of an issue.
NO ONE will get on with Diouf!