Pre Hammers: Carroll star-struck

After his first start for the club this season against Hull, Andy Carroll is desperate to gain some more pitch time as our injury issues mount. With Martins, Viduka and Smith out and Xisco marginalised, the local lad has a chance to make an impression following the failure of our 4-5-1 formation. Carroll said:

"I want to start more games now and I`m hungry to do it. I am enjoying the experience. I want play as often as possible and try to nick that first goal in the first team. Playing in the first team is very different to the reserves. The players are a lot stronger and the pace is much faster. You just need to put yourself about, and that`s what I did against Hull.

I just try to play my own game and with my own style. People might try to compare you with certain players or put names on you, but I just do my best. I`ve got goals in the reserves which earned me a chance, and now I just need to push on in the first-team squad.

Hopefully, I`ve done enough we`ll see what the team is. I would love to get my first goal against West Ham. But if it doesn`t come for me I will just continue to get into the positions. Even if it took five or six games to come I wouldn`t worry, as long as I played well and did the job for the team."

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.