Carroll Has To WANT To Stay In The England Set Up!

Last updated : 14 November 2010 By Footy Mad - Editor

Supermac said last week that playing for England could "ruin Carroll's career because he isn't ready for it."

But, like Campbell, I think the call up could be the moment that changes the striker's life.

If he blows this chance ... he certainly IS heady to the knackers yard ... because there cannot be a bigger honour in football than to represent your country.

If the England boss believes in him, as does Chris Hughton (throughout all Carroll's trials and tribulations), the player must return the compliment and show respect to both of them.

Campbell says the pressures on players these days are out of hand.

Personally I blame the TV companies. In the 1980s we had Match Of The Day and the odd live game, but today there are 20 or 30 Sports channels looking to fill their programmes, and how many live games are broadcast weekly?

Sol Campbell: “I think Andy has come on leaps and bounds.

“Everyone knows he has got the raw talent. He just has to make sure that the people at the club nurture that and make sure he channels that into the right areas.

“He has to look and say ‘Okay what do I want out of my career?’

"He works hard but there will still be a few things he needs to work at over the next one to two to three years and that will determine how long, I think, his career in England anyway, will last.

“I think he will take it with both hands and I doubt he will want to let it go.

“He wants to do well for his club and his country. It is only a matter of time before he gets in there but it is not about how you get in there it is if you can stay there.

“There are a lot of things around football now that can enhance you but also detract from you.

“When I started and ten years before it wasn’t like it is now.

"Over the decades (the celebrity of footballers) has escalated. You don’t know where it is going to end.

“Not after one game but probably after four or five, ten games people will start to analyse you a little bit more closely. They won’t let things go. Those are the kind of things you have to get used to.”