It’s a shame to see another young player hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons again. This time it’s Newcastle’s Andy Carroll, who pleaded guilty to assaulting a man just days after netting the winner against West Ham in a crucial Premier League clash.

Carroll is a player fulfilling his dream of establishing himself as a talent for the Magpies in the Premier League, and is even on the verges of an international call up.

It’s unfair to judge and condemn players from the outside looking in. But the answers to why a player in his position needed to get involved or have eight or nine pints that led to the ugliness in the first place must be found quickly, and dealt with quickly.

 

Of course players need to relax and unwind, and young players are often overwhelmed with sudden fame and fortune, probably getting flak and constant attention everywhere they go.

But this is the life they choose. Hopefully, living with Kevin Nolan will keep Carroll’s feet on the ground and not allow the big changes in his life go to his head. People make mistakes and deserve another chance, not to be castigated, but this really needs to be the last for Newcastle United’s sake - and his own.

His form seems to be intact and the events off the pith didn’t affect him at Upton Park, so as long as he gets things right off the pitch, Carroll has the potential to have a memorable season for all the right reasons.