Allardyce confident about Carroll despite Christmas party controversy

Saturday, December 8, 2012
10:15 AM

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce is not worried about Liverpool loanee Andy Carroll’s reputation

David Sullivan and David Gold have already backed Allardyce in the transfer window and also stumped up the wages to bring Andy Carroll to the club on loan.

The Liverpool striker has had some off-field distractions during his career to date and was accused of attacking a photographer in Dublin after the Hammers’ Christmas party this week.

“We have got 25 players out there and this is just a little minor blip for me that was caused by a photographer and not by Andy Carroll,” Allardyce said.

“He just wants to get on with his football, he doesn’t get distracted, he would prefer not to have it but like I said with the way he is he has got to cope with it as best as he possibly can.”

Despite a couple of injuries since moving to east London in the summer Allardyce believes the 23-year-old has settled in the capital.

“I think, like myself, he quite likes the life down here,” he said.

“There is less attention paid to Andy in a big city which I think he likes.

“He wants to get around and get on with his football, he is with his girlfriend and has I think got some good people he knows at the football club and I think that has helped him settle in - I don’t think that has been a problem.”