Views from the Sieve

While listening to the audio commentary on MixLR on Enfield Town the younger commentary person made a comment just before 2nd half started to the effect of, "the team will be doing this or that and Carroll will be doing whatever he wants to do." Not an exact quote, but something close to that. Maybe I was making too much of the comment, but in my mind's eye I was seeing two groups of five year olds running around in a pack chasing a ball and then one kid off to the side do whatever was of interest at that moment in time.

It got me thinking, is Andy a positive for the team? Remember I am in the states so I am not seeing the games live. When I was there in mid- to late-August Andy was injured still, so I did not see him play. And I do NOT claim to be an expert in any sense of the word on this sport, even when I am watching live in-person or on TV.

He was tremendous yesterday and should've been man of the match in my opinion.

If the referees weren't so incompetent he'd already have a goal and a few more appearances under his belt too.

Not only is he playing well, his attitude seems very humble for a man of his achievements. He doesn't accept low standards and is constantly giving his team mates advice. I hope they continue to take it on board and don't see it as an ego thing, he can be a big asset to improve those around him. He's also working hard, chasing and winning the ball back.

Just hope we can continue to get him on the pitch and enjoy watching him.

Carroll is definitely a positive, he wins so much in the air and it’s obvious to see that he’s not playing as an individual, the main issue is that our play is very one dimensional and predictable, that’s not the fault of the player but that of the coach/manager.
As for man of the match on Saturday I think Scott deserved it because his positivity down the flanks caused Enfield problems all game… until Bradbury hauled him off.

BB-Dagger wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 7:42 am Carroll is definitely a positive, he wins so much in the air and it’s obvious to see that he’s not playing as an individual, the main issue is that our play is very one dimensional and predictable, that’s not the fault of the player but that of the coach/manager.
As for man of the match on Saturday I think Scott deserved it because his positivity down the flanks caused Enfield problems all game… until Bradbury hauled him off.

Agree about Carroll being a positive but hoping that once we get Dieng fit and playing from the start alongside other midfielders such as Marsh, Harrack and Lawless our style of play changes somewhat. In the short time Dieng was on the pitch you could see what a stylish player he is and in fact made Hemmings goal.
It would be pointless then just lumping the ball forward then I hope.
I think Scott was running on empty in the end that’s why he had to come off.

He wins absolutely everything and makes it stick. Not just that, but his mere presence causes havoc (as you can see in the winner) and occupies defenders to vacate so much space for others. At one point a defender just backed off to let Carroll take the ball unchallenged. Another corner basically devoted to stopping Carroll meet the ball from Enfield's POV saw him do so effortlessly and only be denied by a header off the line.

Agree about his attitude as well, nobody can question his commitment to the cause and he celebrated that winner like any other goal he's been on the pitch for throughout his career.

It's not just Carroll. Dieng's impact was obviously massive, Lawless was very good which went understated too. It's made a difference to the side. Let's just hope they can stay fit.

DaggerJoel11 wrote: Mon Oct 20, 2025 9:47 am He wins absolutely everything and makes it stick.

Is Andy noticeably taller than the average player on the field? My neighboring city of Winston-Salem has a low level ice hockey team. A retired NHL player had moved to the area and was working as a fire fighter in the area. He was no one I had heard of in the ranks of the NHL. I am not sure how close the average player in the league was with ice hockey skills but they were clearly a bit shorter and slower on the ice. It was obvious when the sides changed during the game and this former-NHL was on the ice as he towered over everyone else. And I think this forner-NHL player was average height and body size for NHL.

I am not sure if his technical skills were any better and placing the puck exactly where he wanted but his speed and size allowed him to dominate on the ice.

Does Andy have a height and size advantage that serves him well when he is on the pitch?

Andy was at the open house signing autographs along with everyone else, so from my perspective it seems he was fitting in with everyone else quite well. That is something he could have brushed off I am sure but he was there for the same time as the other players.

For the season going like it has been it is good to hear he is giving it all he can.