The Legends: What now for Carroll-less Newcastle?

For the rest of the season it means big trouble. He’s one of the best strikers in the country at the moment and to lose him… well to bring nobody in makes it even more expensive.

Shola Ameobi got injured the other night and he could be out for a couple of months and that just shows you have to cover yourself left, right and centre.

I don’t honestly know where Liverpool came up with the figure of £35m.

If Mike Ashley was looking at selling Andy Carroll and someone came in with £20m he’d probably have taken it and they come in with £30m and go to £35m. I just don’t understand where they get the figures from.

It’s way over the odds what they should be paying. It’s the seventh highest in the history of football and he’s hasn’t played a full season in the Premier League and only played once for his country.

We thought Darren Bent was massive money at £24m and that’s been blown out the water – and Bent is one of the top strikers in the country.

MALCOLM MACDONALD:

Firstly I would to wish the lad the best of luck, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity that he has at such a tender age and he’s going to have to work very hard to make the most of it.

For the rest of the Newcastle side it should be looked at as a wonderful opportunity for people to step into the limelight.

But I certainty didn’t see that happen against Fulham and I was very disappointed because here was that glorious opportunity for somebody. Just a couple of shots on goal was all that was needed but I didn’t see it from anybody and it’s a double whammy with Shola getting injured.

So often with situations like this you get kicked in the backside.

I didn’t expect it at all. When you’re a professional you can look at a club and a player and you get a feeling whether they’re a match or not and if somebody had said to me Liverpool were going to go for Andy Carroll I would have said he wasn’t a good fit for them, but Kenny Dalglish knows Liverpool inside out and he must see something there.

Mike Ashley couldn’t have turned down that offer and with his injury he wouldn’t be playing for Newcastle in the next few weeks.

It’s a difficult situation for Newcastle fans to swallow but they must accept it.

BERNIE SLAVEN:

It’s really disappointing for the public. He was the king pin. People pay a lot of hard-earned cash to go and watch these players. He’d signed a new contract recently and told of his love for the club and, deep down, I believe him.

I don’t believe Darren Bent and the way he left. He was spinning yarns when he was at Sunderland saying he loved it then first opportunity he was gone but Carroll wore his heart on his sleeve and he genuinely loved the club, and he’s a Geordie.

Carroll is saying he was forced to sign the agreement but I believe him more than I believe anyone at Newcastle United Football Club.

Everybody’s got a different story, and I think that’s what annoys the fans.

£35m is an incredible amount for raw talent and that’s what Carroll is. He’s a big awkward character, scores goals, has done well in the Premier League and Championship but he’s still raw.

What must Kenny Dalglish think of paying £35m? He’ll never be as big or achieve as much as Kenny.

If you don’t feel wanted, you get out. I predicted what was happening. Mike Ashley wouldn’t have turned down that amount of money, Carroll’s trebled his wages so it’s good for both parties.

Newcastle United could be in a relegation battle and I don’t think they would be had Carroll stayed.

* The Legends were speaking to Steph Clark.

Listen to The Legends weekdays 6-8pm and Saturdays from 1pm on 100-102FM Real Radio.

Read their views every Saturday in Northern Echo Sport