10 Newcastle Heroes Whose Careers Nosedived Since Leaving
10. Andy Carroll
Three years ago, Andy Carroll was one of the hottest prospects in English football and was being touted as Alan Shearers natural heir at both club and international level. Built like a traditional strong and burly centre-forward, the 21 year old hit-man was an intimidating presence in the air, possessed a dynamite left foot, and had already struck 11 league goals during the first half of Newcastles 10/11 season. His excellent run of form subsequently led to a first ever English cap in November 2010, and prompted the likes of Spurs and Liverpool to table big-money bids for Tynesides prized asset. As everybody knows, the Geordie number nine quickly destroyed his reputation in the north-east by forfeiting a potentially fruitful Newcastle legacy to become one of the worlds most expensive transfers, with Liverpool foolishly parting with £35 million for his services. He subsequently scored eleven goals in 58 appearances for the Reds, before a loan deal at West Ham was made permanent in the summer of 2013 for a hefty fee of £15 million. Injuries have blighted his time in London, and he has scored just nine goals in 43 appearances for the Hammers. As far as his international ambitions go, he hasnt played for his country in over two years and will have been disappointed to lose out to the 32 year old Rickie Lambert in a battle for a place in the 2014 World Cup squad. If Carroll was honest with himself, he wouldnt deny that he regrets leaving St. James Park in 2011.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
