Carroll to fire West Ham up Premier League table
Published:Andy Carroll’s arrival at West Ham United could prompt an upturn in the club’s fortunes, with the England man available at 40/1 to finish Premier League top scorer with Ladbrokes.
The 24-year-old put pen to paper on a six-year contract after the Hammers agreed a £15-million deal to secure the striker’s services from Liverpool.
Carroll’s arrival represents a significant step forwards for West Ham, with the deal breaking the club’s previous transfer record of £10 million for Matt Jarvis last summer.
Speaking after the move was announced, the former Newcastle man was evidently optimistic about the season ahead.
“It can only get better for us,” he said.
“The way the club’s being run, obviously getting the new stadium and everything like that, it’s only going up.”
The Irons remain at odds of 7/1 to get relegated next season, but with Carroll on hand, they could aspire to much more.
A price of 80/1, for instance, on the Hammers doing the unlikely and securing a top-four finish could be one to look for, though a Europa League place could be a more realistic prospect.
Much could depend on the goalscoring form of Carroll, who is likely to line-up in West Ham’s season opener at home to Cardiff with the Hammers priced at 9/10 for the win.
The 24-year-old scored seven goals for the Hammers during a disrupted debut season but with squad rival Carlton Cole jettisoned, and winger Matt Jarvis beginning to find his feet, more could come this term.
Carroll will be eager to impress, as he sets about securing a place in the prospective England squad for next year’s World Cup.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
