Javier Hernandez’s absence has given Andy Carroll a chance in the West Ham United team, but he did not look like taking it against Watford.
Andy Carroll’s performance in David Moyes’ first game in charge of West Ham United was summed up in the opening six seconds of Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Watford.
Carroll was making his first start since returning from the red card suspension handed out following an elbow-first challenge at Burnley last month.
And yet his way to celebrate his recall was to land a similar blow on Marvin Zeegelaar just moments into the Watford man’s debut.
It was needless, it was rash and it set the tone for Carroll’s afternoon. He was involved in further tussles and booked for an off-the-ball shove on Richarlison while the Vicarage Road crowd loudly mocked the big striker.
Under a new manager, this was a huge opportunity for Carroll to stake a claim as West Ham’s first-choice front man as Javier Hernandez recovers from injury.
But the former Liverpool forward did not take this chance and, in fact, may well have done his long-term prospects some serious harm.
If Carroll is given the nod again against Leicester City on Friday – Diafra Sakho is a potential replacement – then he must significantly improve and show that his disruptive nature can be put to good use in the opposition’s area.
Moyes will know he has Hernandez coming back and his array of attacking options in wide positions means a front two is unlikely.
Carroll has spent too much of his Premier League career outside of the team – largely through injury – and he is already facing an uphill struggle to dislodge Hernandez.
A similarly hopeless display at Leicester could represent a waste of his last chance.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
