Andy Carroll Has Some Big Choices To Make
And just when you think things are finally going to plan at Newcastle United, when the football team's results and performances are all that matter, Andy Carroll gets arrested for an incident in the early hours of the morning at a notorious city centre nightclub.
For those who have followed United for any length of time it was probably quiet, too quiet. Newcastle are a football club like no other when it comes to attracting unwanted media attention and most of the time it has very little to do with football.
Not since the Newcastle dressing room was filled with Sir Bobby Robson's Brat Pack - Kieron Dyer, Jermaine Jenas, Craig Bellamy, Carl Cort, Titus Bramble et al - have we been delivered a nightclub incident to get our teeth into.
I should stress that, at this stage, Carroll has only been arrested on suspicion of causing Actual Bodily Harm and hasn't been charged with anything, but there is smoke even if there isn't a fire at this stage.
There have been plenty of stories knocking about regarding Carroll's behaviour off the pitch and I'm sure plenty of them have been exaggerated and embellished - how many times have you heard about this footballer or that footballer burning £50 notes in some bar or other - but the fact is, he is starting to become notorious around the city for his partying.
Personally, I have no problem with a 20-year-old going out drinking, partying or generally enjoying the trappings of fame his football ability has brought him.
Crikey, if I was in his shoes I certainly would be. He is a young man and he should be able to enjoy that time of his life as we all have done.
But it has to be done within reason and it has to be controlled. He can live the life he does because of his football ability and if the partying becomes more fun than the football he is in trouble.
What he has done so far in his career amounts to absolutely nothing. A handful of first team appearances and a couple of Under-21 caps. Big deal.
It might impress the 18-year-old girl he takes home that night, or the new friends he makes every time he steps into a bar, but he has taken a few tentative steps as a footballer and that's it. Like a toddler he could so easily fall flat on his face.
Carroll is a target whenever he goes out, whether it is the girl looking for a kiss and tell or the bloke who wants to take him down a peg or two. To some extent every footballer is, but Carroll is a local boy done good and there are plenty of people out there who are jealous of that.
If he gives it the big I am there are people who are going to want to tell him exactly what they think of him or worse.
In every city there are people you do not want to get on the wrong side of and Carroll needs someone to remind him of that. If he likes to throw his fists around there will be people who are far better at it than him.
He has to learn to control himself and curb his excess. If he doesn't the promising career he has in front of him will go to waste like so many others before him.
He has the raw potential to be a fantastic player and, for me, he has been the big success story of Newcastle's season far, but he could so easily wreck it all.
When he drinks he must always remain in control and he must always be aware of where he is and who is around him.
As a professional athlete it is questionable whether you should ever be in such a state that you cannot do these simple things, but I don't want to be too puritanical!
Nobody can control Carroll, he has to do that himself and hopefully this will be a wake up call. It isn't the first time he has got himself into trouble with the police since he made his debut and it isn't the first time in his young career that alcohol has caused him problems.
Newcastle already have Joey Barton to contend with and they don't need another wrong un. This is something which needs to be dealt with now, by the club, by Chris Hughton , by his teammates, but most of all by Carroll himself.
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Luke Edwards - is Chief Sports Writer of The Journal and uses his blog to give a unique and entertaining insight into events at Newcastle United and Sunderland.
Great article, sensible opinions, nice refreshing change.
Its not the first time this boy has been arrested either.
But surely the powers that be can put something in a contract banning players from this area.
An idiot who wont learn IMHO
I've worked on bars for years and seen people arrested and questioned over incidents before when all they've done is dodge a punch while the muppet who threw it went flying and split their head on a bar stool, so lets all just take a deep breath before we crucify the lad eh?
Also, although I do not claim to know the lad's private life, surely it is derogatory to assume that he is simply trying to "impress the 18 year-old girl he takes home that night." Also massively disrespectful to those who care for him which may include the partner he mentioned in the chronicle on the 17th September when dedicating his first goal this season to his newborn daughter.
No, we don't need another bad boy at the club, but nor do we need another columnist writing inflammatory accusations and pointless and hypocritical opinions. You, Luke Edwards have some important choices to make in your life and career and until you have done so. Stay out of other people's and report on the football
Can't comment on your first para Dave, but agree with the rest of of you write. About Luke Edwards article, as a piece of reporting it's one of his better ones, though the content is questionable.
It more a case of he shouldnt go to these places in the first place, as there is always trouble in the Bigg Market these days and you heighten these chances if youre a footballer.
Thanks for your feedback Dave and everyone else, but I'm merely offering an opinion and a warning. I've been in this job long enough to see talented footballers waste their career because of off field distractions and the game is littered with those who have failed to fulfil their potential because they failed to look after themselves properly. If you re-read what I've written you will hopefully see it is merely an expression of concern, a concern that Andy Carroll is in danger of throwing it all away. It isn't just about one incident, it's a general picture which is being drawn from a series of different ones. I have no desire to crucify anyone and at no point do I say he has to live like a hermit or not enjoy himself. I don't fall down the he's a role model path, I just urge the kid - and I use that word with purpose - to look after himself and be careful in what he does when he goes out. Is that so bad of me, as a columnist, to offer an opinion. I thought that was what I was paid to do?!
bloody hell i had forgot all about joey barton!! brilliant, lets keep it that way.!
if AC acted in self defence then fine but as dave said we don't know what happend. above all newcastle united players should be barred from the bigg market city centre circuit, they should accept that they've given up a normal geordie life for life as a footballer... they can't mix in the same places as a bloke on 200 quid a week anymore, it always ends in trouble. and why would they want to when they can go anywhere? its tough but ask any young lad out there if he'd swap his weekends on the toon for a life as a football star playing for his home side on a mega wage?? theres only one answer..
Fair response to the criticism Luke and I agree wholeheartedly with toongonebad.
I would have given up my decadent youth for the adoration and wage that these lads get now. Unfortunatley, I wasn't good enough, so have spent a fair amount of time in these dens. Believe me when I say he's not missing anything.
As for the rest of the club though, things are too quiet, things are going too well. All talk is about the football and not the owner or the paedo-looking MD. I am delighted that, without playing well, NUFC are dominating the Championship and looking solid at the back (miracles never cease!). However, call me a pessimist, but I have followed this club for many years and get the feeling that the next massive revelation is just around the corner. January's almost upon us and although Chris Hughton says "we're not interested in selling, just strengthening...." I don't believe he holds the key to deciding who stays and who goes. Surely, we can't get through the rest of this season without any more scandal, or unrest, or a massive dip in form, can we? I hope we can, but this is NUFC, so let's all be prepared for things to go t1ts up at any time!!
Its his 2nd arrest in 2 years do we want to be known for attracting/keeping bad boys?
Would Chris Houghton play the boy if it was his nephew that was glassed by Carroll?
From the Grapevine hear the only reason he included in squad is his agent has already formalised a Jan move for boy, and if they sack him they lose money.
Time for Newcastle to make a statement on these bad boys or we are just going to keep creating them......where the incentive not to do this?
Hello, i think its a great article luke, i am a personal friend of andrew, we grew up together plus same schools and football teams, dont really see much of him now, but now and again we speak and do bump into each other for a drink, and he really does need to learn because this wont be the last article on him and his personal life i am sure of that.
thanks
Hello, i think its a great article luke, i am a personal friend of andrew, we grew up together same schools and football teams, dont really see much of him now, but now and again we speak and do bump into each other for a drink, and he really does need to learn because this wont be the last article on him and his personal life i am sure of that.
thanks