---
title: "Newcastle fans react to Lee Ryder’s calls for Andy Carroll to start"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/25/newcastle-fans-lee-ryder-calls-andy-carroll-start/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "jrushworth"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-02-25T07:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-25T07:00:00Z"
---

# Newcastle fans react to Lee Ryder’s calls for Andy Carroll to start

Plenty of [Newcastle](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/24/newcastle-morning-news-round-up-24th-february-2021/) supporters have reacted to calls from Chronicle Live reporter Lee Ryder for [Andy Carroll](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/01/07/newcastle-fans-andy-carroll-west-brom-transfer-links/) to be restored to the team’s starting line-up.

The Magpies are having to find an alternative way of getting goals without Callum Wilson, who is sideline for [several weeks through injury](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56023542). Allan Saint-Maximin got on the scoresheet in Sunday’s defeat at Manchester United, but that [was just his second league goal of the campaign](https://www.sofascore.com/player/allan-saint-maximin/347010). For most of that game, Steve Bruce’s side lacked a natural goalscoring presence upfront.

Dwight Gayle was tried in the defeat at Chelsea, while Joelinton was brought back into the starting line-up against Manchester United. The Brazilian [came off with a back injury in the second half](https://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport/football/newcastle-united/steve-bruce-issues-injury-update-on-joelinton-at-newcastle-united-3141881) and, while he worked hard and tried to make things happen, his lack of natural scoring instincts were laid bare when he failed to get into the box on a few occasions.

Carroll has not started for the Magpies since the 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa last month and that was only his fourth league start of the campaign ([Sofascore](https://www.sofascore.com/player/andy-carroll/18998)). The 32-year-old has just [one goal in his 14 league appearances](https://www.sofascore.com/player/andy-carroll/18998) this season, and that was nothing more than a consolation striker in the defeat against Leicester at St James’ Park. By and large, he not really done anything of note since re-joining the club in 2019, scoring just [once in 39 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/andy-carroll/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/48066) in that time.

However, speaking on the latest [Everything is Black and White](https://podfollow.com/913153082/episode/7379029046282733146f968fec7a6ae569408699/view) podcast \[via [@ChronicleNUFC](https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/status/1364193953390690304?s=19) on Twitter\], Ryder suggested that Carroll has the battling qualities and is the sort of ‘fighter’ the Magpies need at the moment in their fight against relegation.

> Is it time to turn to Andy Carroll?\
> \
> Full podcast ➡️ [https://t.co/HLR9qmRWbV](https://t.co/HLR9qmRWbV) [pic.twitter.com/MwQ0DdvFnd](https://t.co/MwQ0DdvFnd)
>
> — The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/status/1364193953390690304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

**Newcastle fans react to Ryder’s Carroll comments**

Many Newcastle fans do not think that Carroll is the answer, believing that he has not shown anywhere near enough to justify getting another chance. However, some were more inclined to agree with Ryder that it might to be time to give him one last chance to prove his worth.

> Yeah, I am not seeing this as the answer. They do need some sort of a target man up front, because we always seem to try to play long balls to Miggy and ASM, but I thought Joel did a good job winning some of the balls on Sunday.
>
> — David Polzin (@dave\_polzin) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/dave_polzin/status/1364212815452655622?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Not mobile enough to press defenders. \
> Rarely wins the ball cleanly – fouls go against him 9/10 (rightly) \
> We don’t play in a way that suits him. Very few teams do. Misplaced sentimentality from fans and a cheap gamble that hasn’t worked.
>
> — Pipsos (@Pipsos4) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/Pipsos4/status/1364197945843843082?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> I agree with this. Problem is that he’ll probs get injured after 1 game. We need someone that can make the ball stick up front to then feed ASM, miggy, Fraser. Nobody else seems capable.
>
> — Shaunyprawny (@Shaunyprawny1) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/Shaunyprawny1/status/1364196028728107008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/MLCuno/status/1364206480291995650?s=19

https://twitter.com/Bix1985/status/1364211323580596225?s=19

> He doesnt have the mobility, or actual ability!
>
> — Craig (@lambeau2011) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/lambeau2011/status/1364222384945786885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> But the fight in Carroll is the sort of fight that refs will give a straight foul for, as soon as he wins it in the air the defender goes down and gets a free kick
>
> — Dave C (@dave\_heed93) [February 23, 2021](https://twitter.com/dave_heed93/status/1364195353453551618?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/jeffgarnett30/status/1364212628252418048?s=19