Bruce: Carroll’s fit and ready to cause hell
SHOT AT THE PREM, THAT’S ANDY
STEVE BRUCE believes Andy Carroll can help fire West Brom into the Premier League.
The former Liverpool and Newcastle striker was a late addition to the Baggies squad after £7million American striker Daryl Dike suffered a hamstring tear.
Carroll, 33, agreed a deal until the end of the season as Albion scrambled to find a replacement.
And Bruce (below), who was in charge of Carroll at St James’ Park for over two years, says he can be his main man at The Hawthorns.
He said: “Is Andy’s race run? No, absolutely it isn’t.
Frustration
“He’s managed to stay fit and well. He was like that at Newcastle. He was fit, his ankle was perfect.
“The frustration Andy had was that he wanted to be the main man. But he wasn’t first choice – Callum Wilson was.
“He knocked on my door a few times. I understood where he was coming from.
I had no issues with him doing that whatsoever.
“In the end, I said to him, ‘Andy, you’ve got to go and be a No.1 striker. If that means moving down a league, that’s what you’ll have to do.’
“I’ve seen him train. He looks well and if he stays well and fit, I’ve seen enough to know he will be a threat for us in the Championship.
“Can Andy score goals at this level? Yes, he can. He’s been there, done it, and worn the T-shirt.
“You don’t move for £35m and play for England if you can’t do it.
“But he’s got to have the service in there, too. You can have the best centre-forward in the world but they are only as good as the service they’re being given.
“It would have been easy for him to stay at Reading, near his home. But he’s come here, he wants to do something.
“He has that fire. It’s what makes you a top player, that little bit of fire. When Andy was young, he was unplayable.
“He can be a threat to anybody, that’s for sure.”
Bruce suffered as Newcastle’s season failed to spark at the start of the campaign. He suffered personal abuse on social media as
the strain of carrying the responsibility for the Toon’s fortunes rested on his shoulders.
Owner Mike Ashley was waiting for the Saudi Arabian takeover to proceed and the Geordie felt the backlash of the fans’ frustrations.
His big pal, former England chief Sam Allardyce, has moved out of frontline management after a spell in the Black Country when his wife voiced her fears over his health.
However, Bruce – who spent his time recharging his batteries by watching the England cricket team – insists he is fit and raring to go.
Happy
He added: “My wife, Jan, said, ‘If you want to, do it.’
“I had a full MOT last week and, apart from needing to lose a few pounds, I’m fine.
“I’m not on my own in that respect, am I?
“My wife has a little grandson to look after and she said that if I’m happy to do it, then she’s happy for me to do it.
“I know what the brief is. I know the new chief executive Ron Gourlay – we bumped into each other on holiday and we’ve kept in touch since then.
“He’s been there, seen it, done it.
“I’m experienced and a little part of me still feels like I have something to prove.
“That’s been the case throughout my career.
“And if I didn’t think West Brom had enough, I wouldn’t be here. It’s a very good squad and we still have an outstanding chance if going up.”