Carroll for Russia just doesn’t fit

IT’S as inevitable as Harry Redknapp predicting on the eve of a tournament that “our boys have a t’rrific chance of going all the way”. Andy Carroll returning from a three-month lay-off in April to score, and people demanding he goes to the World Cup with England as “he’s a dangerous weapon”. So thanks Aaron Cresswell for saying just that after your team-mate rescued a point against relegation rivals Stoke on Monday. Thanks even more for pointing out that on his day Carroll (left) is “unplayable”. As it reminds us that on the majority of days he’s literally unplayable as he’s unfit. BETWEEN New Year’s Day and his sacking – 11 Premier League games later – West Brom’s Alan Pardew picked up four points from a possible 33.

The Baggies have played two games since, under caretaker manager Darren Moore, and picked up four points from a possible six. Three of them at Old Trafford. The odds are against West Brom playing in the top flight next season, but they are surely even longer on Pardew (left) managing there any time soon.