'Paintbrush Striker' Has A Great Future Ahead Of Him

Last updated : 31 July 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Buffon: "Carroll played like what we call in Italy a paintbrush striker, he was there to add the finishing touch.

"He played well on his own and although Newcastle were aiming for his head with some of their passes, he showed he can play with his feet too because he laid the ball off excellently to the supporting midfielders.

"He will be an asset because he can find the players around him in different ways and has already shown he has great awareness."

Claudio Ranieri has tried to take some heat off his goalkeeper after Sam Allardyce accused him of "common assault" on his striker.

The Italian international keeper came flying out of his six-yard box and slammed into Carroll.

Allardyce compared the incident to Harald Schumacher's infamous flying attack on Patrick Battiston in the 1982 World Cup, saying it was "more like common assault than anything you expect to see on a football field."

Ranieri: "Gianluigi is a gentleman. It was a complete accident. He was only thinking of blocking the ball."

Carroll: "It was fantastic to score my first goal, especially against such a good team and at St James' Park.

"It's a great feeling to go out and hear the fans cheering when the ball hit the back of the net.

"It was a good strike by Oba and it landed straight in front of me. I took a touch and the only thing I thought was to hit the target.

"It was a good strike and I am happy.It's been great playing a few games in pre-season, and for me to score my first goal where I wanted to, which was at St James'."