Unsung hero for West Ham: Andy Carroll

Seven goals in 18 Premier League appearances, including a Goal of the Month award, is probably more than most people would credit to West Ham’s unsung hero Andy Carroll.

Yet the tall and imposing presence of the former England striker was vital in many of the games that West Ham went on to win, and win comfortably.

After three and a half months out injured, Carroll returned with a goal against Arsenal in December and although the Hammers lost 5-1, their form soon took an upturn.

Following an FA Cup exit to Man City, Carroll scored four in his next four as West Ham saw off relegation threatened Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough before a 3-0 win over Southampton.

And it was THAT goal, the scissor kick bullet at the London Stadium against Palace which sparked Carroll’s hottest streak of the season.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

He may not be the most prolific striker in the league but when he’s on the pitch, Carroll continues to make a real difference for West Ham in the final third.

The stirker now has 183 appearances in the Premier League and has reached 50 goals, only two fewer than Chelsea’s Diego Costa. That’s also 14 more than Arsenal’s Danny Welbeck.

And his impact and value at the London Stadium is not lost on Hammers boss Bilic despite his various troubles with injuries.

“If you want me to tell you ‘enough is enough’ I’m not going to say it,” he said. “I’m not going to give up. First of all he has a contract with us.

“The problem is he’s so valuable to us. He makes such a big impact on our game. When he’s not available the team feels it.

“It’s tough when you are counting on a player and then suddenly he’s not available for a lot of games. I’ll never give up but that situation has to improve.

“Secondly the impact which he is having in every game, whether he started or he comes from the bench, is big. It’s massive.

“You can see that also this season – when he played we won six out of nine.”