Carew: I could leave Villa

[Chico Hamilton III]

Must admit i am bit suprised by peoples love affair with Carew.

are you capable of posting without overreacting?

[OzVilla]

The Carew for Baros swap was one of the best bits of business the Villa have done for a few years.

Carew pre injury was a formidible opponant - not seen a Villa Centre Forward out muscle Centre Halves since the days of McInnally and before him Thompson, Withe and Gray.  A real throw back to what the Villa used to have up top.

Anybody that wants to base their opinion on the Carew of the last 12 months (coiming back from a serious Injury in the later stages of a career) really isn't being fair.

I expect him to leave as this makes sense for both parties, but he goes with my best wishes. He's Villa through and through and I reckon he did alright for us.

[Merv]

Absolutely. Good post. I too expect Carew to leave at the end of the season as it makes sense all round, but he's really contributed strongly since he's been at Villa. Yes, that back injury has taken its toll, but even with that injury, consider his performances in the final third of last season. For several games, it was only him scoring - take his goals away and we'd have got nowhere near 6th.

His goals/games ratio is good, I like the guy and he's been a focal point of the team for four seasons now. I still think he's got plenty to offer this season, even if it's as more of a cameo/support role. Don't forget we've already had injuries to Gabby and Heskey recently - we still need Big John at this stage.

[adrenachrome]

Must admit i am bit suprised by peoples love affair with Carew.

perhaps they could explain when it became okay for a Villa player not to try and really give a toss? - as per the games he has played this season

With the greatest of respect that's bollocks, how can you say he doesn't give a toss? For example he was critisized after West Ham but other than score he was excellent, admittidly he wasn't the best against Newcastle but were any of them? As Kev Mac said he has been carrying an injury. I find it staggering the way people are turnng on a good servant for the club he has been worth his weight in gold

The player doesn't give a toss argument an its variants are rarely accurate, in my view. When things go south between player and club, for example Alpay and Ginnola,  or the player has emotional problems, as was the case with Collymore, then it may have some validity.

The most bizarre use of the argument was after 03/03/03, when lack of passion, no guts, shouldn't wear the shirt was being bandied about everywhere, and could not have been further from the truth.
 
It has to be said though, that even before his back injury, JC would not turn it on consistently. If he did that in his career, then he wouldn't have been playing for us in the first place. He would be at a CL club.
Something is psyche stops him from being a great player.

[tarzansbrother]

Taxi for Carew you overpaid and lazy fuck. Surprise surprise has slid over to Norway and is claiming Houllier showing him a lack of respect. Might be bullshit but aint good if true.

[D.boy]

I think he will be off in January. I like the bloke but he has spent far too long on the sidelines of late and we could fill his shirt with a proven striker who will be on the pitch.

[TopDeck113]

Some players come, get idolised, get paid vast sums, show glimpses of what they are capable of, but ultimately disappoint and move on.   I've seen it dozens of times before - will no doubt see it many times more.  Carew is nothing unique. 

I just wish that that sort of player would close the door quietly on the way out.

[achilles]

I just wish that that sort of player would close the door quietly on the way out.

Exactly!

[Karl Bridges]

Would be great to offload him in Jan.

[Blackcountry Villa]

Lazy and plays well once in ten games, good riddance. Lets be honest, all our strikers are shite and it's about time we had a quality striker down at VP, it's been far too long.

[TheSandman]

Some players come, get idolised, get paid vast sums, show glimpses of what they are capable of, but ultimately disappoint and move on.   I've seen it dozens of times before - will no doubt see it many times more.  Carew is nothing unique. 

I just wish that that sort of player would close the door quietly on the way out.

I agree.

[Karl Bridges]

The most frustrating thing about Big John is when he is on it there's not too many defenders in the world that can handle him. It is sad that it just doesn't happen more often. I guess he will sign a pre-contract with someone and leave in the summer. I would rather not have him hanging around.

[Muscle-Dolphin]

Try not to let the door hit you on the arse on your way out of town.  No loss.

[Eigentor]

Carew was a very talented player. If he had had a better attitude (more humility) and worked harder (in training and matches), he could, possibly, have been a world class striker in the mould of Drogba. Instead, he has been an good but inconsistent Premier League striker. Injuries and age have started to take their toll, and his performances no longer (perhaps they never have) match his ego. He probably think his past records merits a new contract, even if his current performances doesn't. It is better to let such a player leave.

[Villa'Zawg]

In terms of goals per game/appearance he is right up there with some of the very best who ever wore the shirt. 103 starts (27 sub apps), 52 goals. That puts him marginally ahead of the likes of Withe, McInally, Gray, Shaw, Leonard, Deehan, McParland, Yorke etc...

I don't rate him as a better overall player than those listed but you'd think his record would be worthy of a modicum of respect from every Villa fan.