The Big Interview - Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll is focused on helping the Hammers turn their form around when they face Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough over the coming two weeks.

The striker came back from injury before Christmas with a bang, scoring in the games against Arsenal and Swansea, and is determined to get back to winning ways after a difficult start to the New Year.

West Ham won three in a row prior to their run of three defeats, so Carroll doesn't believe they are far away from recapturing that level of performance.

Andy, you returned to action with two goals in your first five matches. How does it feel to be back?

AC: ”It has been good to be back, I feel good on the pitch, I’m training well and it’s nice to be back getting goals."

You've had more than your fair share of injuries in your career. How do you deal with setbacks like that?

AC: “Personally, I don’t think about it [injuries] to be honest, the physios ask me about it. I just forget about the past, as soon as it’s over I just get on with it. It just happens that way, all I want is to get back on the pitch and give it 100 per cent.”

We had a positive run before Christmas, before a couple of set backs at the start of the New Year. How is the team feeling?

AC: “I think the lads have always been happy, obviously when you are losing games it dips anyway but I think [after our last dip] we were able to get it back up with a few wins and the draw against Liverpool that set us off and got the ball rolling."

I don’t think my physical presence is the most important aspect, I’d like to think that I bring players in to the game with my movement or bringing the ball down

Andy Carroll

How do you think defenders handle coming up against you?

AC: “I don’t think they [opposition defenders] like me jumping into them a lot!"

“Obviously they like to give a lot of elbows, in the back of the head and stuff, and I like to think that I give as much back as I get.

“I don’t think my physical presence is the most important aspect, I’d like to think that I bring players in to the game with my movement or bringing the ball down into them and creating chances.”

How close do you think the team is to putting a run together?

AC: “The start of the season was difficult, compared to last season, but we started scoring goals before Christmas. Last season was a great season and even though this season didn’t start well, I think we’re starting to find it now and come around, although the last few results haven't gone our way.”

Finally, we'll lose Andre Ayew and Cheikhou Kouyate to the Africa Cup of Nations this month. How much are you looking forward to resuming your partnership with Andre afterwards?

AC: “I enjoy working with everyone here, the players and staff, but obviously Andre is a great player, he’s a great signing for us and it’s a shame that he had an injury at the beginning of the season, but he’s back fit now and looking forward to getting some more goals.”

“The manager isn’t going to be happy [losing players to AFCON] and obviously it’s difficult as players but it’s something that happens and we have to get on with it.”