Tom Carroll

[mpickard2087]

The last couple of games he has played he hasnt looked all that, which is a shame. For a player relying on technique and ability he doesnt seem to be able to get his head up and play forwards, everything is bacwards and sideways. Early days but he has got to open up teams with incisive passes and start creating if he wants to reach the top level.

 

[worcestersauce]

The last couple of games he has played he hasnt looked all that, which is a shame. For a player relying on technique and ability he doesnt seem to be able to get his head up and play forwards, everything is bacwards and sideways. Early days but he has got to open up teams with incisive passes and start creating if he wants to reach the top level.

Much like Xavi!
I think the point is that he very seldom loses possession very rarely misplaces a pass and never stands still once he has played the pass, he always moves to offer himself for the return. Like I say much like Xavi.

 

[mpickard2087]

Much like Xavi!
I think the point is that he very seldom loses possession very rarely misplaces a pass and never stands still once he has played the pass, he always moves to offer himself for the return. Like I say much like Xavi.

My point was that yes he is busy and on the move and recycles possession well but I have noticed in games that when he has space and the game is ahead of him he all of a sudden looks a bit lost and unsure what to do, and tends to check out and go, yes you guessed it, either back or lay it off sideways and kill the move/tempo. If he is going to step up he has to effect things in and around the final third more (I appreciate its difficult when Pav is up top though)

Im not trying to write the kid off but the point in bold isnt true either from what I have seen, he gets caught a number of times in possession during a game. To be fair this isnt always his fault as some of the time its due to him receiving the ball under pressure because we are trying to play tippy tappy in the wrong areas.

 

[mill]

My point was that yes he is busy and on the move and recycles possession well but I have noticed in games that when he has space and the game is ahead of him he all of a sudden looks a bit lost and unsure what to do, and tends to check out and go, yes you guessed it, either back or lay it off sideways and kill the move/tempo. If he is going to step up he has to effect things in and around the final third more (I appreciate its difficult when Pav is up top though)

Im not trying to write the kid off but the point in bold isnt true either from what I have seen, he gets caught a number of times in possession during a game. To be fair this isnt always his fault as some of the time its due to him receiving the ball under pressure because we are trying to play tippy tappy in the wrong areas.

Agree with what you say obvious talent but no movement to take advantage of, high hopes for him but I want more

 

[kaz Hirai]

Much like Xavi!
I think the point is that he very seldom loses possession very rarely misplaces a pass and never stands still once he has played the pass, he always moves to offer himself for the return. Like I say much like Xavi.

you know Jenas never really lost possession, played simple passes sideways and backward, kept it simple yet he got shit for just passing the ball sideways and playing it safe, didnt see too many Xavi comparisons crop up :lol:

no Caroll must do much better, he has was dire tonight

 

[remember91]

Much like Xavi!
I think the point is that he very seldom loses possession very rarely misplaces a pass and never stands still once he has played the pass, he always moves to offer himself for the return. Like I say much like Xavi.

You must remember about Xavi, that although he is now rightly considered one of the worlds best players, for a large part of his career he was considered a lightweight who only got in the Barca team because of he was from La Masia. Xavi started to get respected in his mid to late twenties, when he matured and his understated contribution to Barca was respected.

If Tom Carroll is another Xavi, we will not notice it this season, or probably even next season, but in 6-7 years time when he is at the peak for a player of his position.

Perhaps Carroll will mature early, which would be great, but lets not get too judgemental now. When Gerrard was his age he was a full back.

 

[Mr Pink]

He still looks great to me, always looking to get on the ball and provide a tempo with his passing. Bags to learn but the skills and instincts are there with this kid, and you don't teach those as such.

The Paok game at home will be a good platform for more scrutiny.

 

[steve]

Excellent talent without doubt

 

[Krafty]

Its hard to judge any of the youngsters when playing with fringe first teamers and players returning from injury. If you put Carroll in with a couple of Bale, lennon, VDV, Adebayor, even proper full backs, he might start making those forward passes and create more opportunities.

He has potential, but as always he has to fulfil that potential if he is going to make it. At 18 he has a good base.

 

[3Dnata]

I think at the moment when he's up against men he really needs to have a Sandro or Parker beside him. That's not likely to happen in the Europa but I'm sure he'll be a useful player.

 

[eddiebailey]

I would suggest that at the moment we should not be playing him in central midfield at all, he would be more effective tucked in on the left, as when he made his debut - the role in fact that Modric played when he first signed. It took even Modric a season or so before he was ready to play central midfield in the Premiership.

 

[Narnill]

Creating nothing with this lad in midfield.

 

[stemark44]

Creating nothing with this lad in midfield.

You are being very harsh on some very young players,who simply need more time.

 

[Narnill]

How so?

I think he's a good player and with another year or so training with the likes of Modric he could turn into a real top notch player as he has excellent technique.

But for the here and now, he's not good enough to create chances, even in the Europa. What's the point in playing Defoe and Pav up top, if you're not going to play a midfielder that can create something.

Tom Carroll is a waonderful prospect, but he's well out of his depth in the first team imo, because he isn't a DM, he's supposed to be creating and he can't... yet.

 

[tooey]

I've seen nothing from the lad to suggest he'll make it at the highest level with us or with anybody else. Thats not just based on todays performance. Its the whole young-English-overrated thing again. He does however have time on his side, I just hope the coaching staff and Harry can get the best out of him, because at present he looks way out of his depth. Hes lightweight, not the quickest and he isn't the best passer of the ball. Though whos to say in a couple years he's not the next Jamie O'hara :wink:.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

I cant believe these young guys are being coached all week plus probably pick up 1000 pounds per week.

 

[dn013]

You guys are so critical of a lad who is not even 20 years old.

He did nothing wrong in the match - even if he didn't do much particularly awe-inspiring. Patience is a virtue...

 

[diegooners]

played one beautiful pass to falque in about the 70th minute. I like him, he's not ready to play for us in the league but I think he has a decent shot at making the grade. Patience is what is needed.

 

[worcestersauce]

There seems to be a view that he isn't experienced enough to be in the first team which rather misses the point, surely that is the reason he is being played in the Europa games, to build up that experience, last night was a very good test for the youngsters, Rubin pressured our players which gave them very little time on the ball yet some of the quick passing was very impressive.
There is no doubt that his light frame has an effect on his development, he is a young 19 year old but things will change as he becomes a man.
As remember91 says Xavi was a lightweight as a young player and he still plays 90% of his passes three yards sideways and backwards, I don't say Carroll will reach that level but with the likes of Iniesta, Villa and Messi making runs ahead of him he'd make more forward passes and look even better.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

He was alright, he's very neat on the ball and he clearly has skill and technique. He also isn't afraid to ask for the ball and try to push it forward, though I'd say he has yet to really know when to play certain types of pass. Still, he looks a good prospect and I can't understand the criticism of a player who isn't really doing anything wrong, but is doing a few things right.