From Whitley Park to Wembley Park - it's been some journey for Big Andy
Whether Andy Carroll makes the full England squad or not for the forthcoming Euro 2012 Qualifier with Montenegro the fact that it is even up for serious discussion shows just how far the Geordie lad has come in a very short space of time.
Don't forget, it was only the season before last that Carroll was still very much a reserve team player and just two years ago that the Toon striker was changing in the second string dressing room at the club's Benton base.
It was Joe Kinnear and Chris Hughton who decided to promote him to the first team dressing room around Christmas time of the 2008/09 season as injuries kicked in for the Magpies.
Back then Carroll had the likes of Michael Owen, Oba Martins, Mark Viduka and Shola Ameobi ahead of him and later in the season the arrival of Peter Lovenkrands made his challenge even harder.
Standing in the deserted tunnel of St James' Park after a reserve game just two years ago after a game with Hull, Carroll was even pondering a loan stint to Cardiff just to get first team experience so to be talking about England is big for the lad from Gateshead.
Carroll has gone from playing in front of 200 people at Whitley Park to possibly a packed house at Wembley for England, it's a plot that would make Roy of the Rovers eat his heart out this!
Those hearty souls who stood in the rain at Whitley Park and cheered Carroll on back then may well take a bit of pride the day Carroll lines up for the national anthem at Wembley!
Carroll was also not even assured a first team place at the start of last season in the Championship with Ameobi and Lovenkrands expected to lead the line of attack.
But for those who have witnessed his potential from an early age, it has started to click into place in the last 12 months.
Carroll has always been fantastic in the air at both ends of a football field.
He's always had an awesome left foot, usually a problem for English players, and he's always had an eye for goal and he's added that to his game.
Now all of that is beginning to click into place for Carroll and he's certainly up for the challenge.
It may have been slightly tongue-in-cheek at the time but before the World Cup, I raised the point - which was laughed at by some - that it could be worth taking Carroll to South Africa in a Theo Walcott style experiment.
After the World Cup, it would appear that wasn't the worst shout in the world given how crap England were and how devoid of ideas they were.
I'm sure that the element of surprise in Carroll in an England shirt could upset a lot of teams, and he could frighten the life out of opposition.
That's just my opinion of course, I'm sure a lot of the experts out there could probably give us reasons why he shouldn't play for England.
I guess the only way we'll know, is if he's given that chance.
And if he takes it, well, what a player we could have on our hands that hasn't cost us a penny.
Credit then would go to NUFC's Academy staff and the coaching network who have elevated him to the big stage.
If he does make it, I can't wait to take my seat at Wembley on Tuesday week - but the fact we're talking about that prospect is solid progress alone.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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playing in front of . . . "200 people at Whitley Park to possibly a packed house at Wembley for England"
I doubt that England in October against Montenegro will pack Wembley, youd have more company taking your seat watching the Bucks Fizz tribute band in the pub outside the ground.
and if they do pick him - he could score five - they'll soon drop him again - think Malcom MacDonald and Cyprus.
Personally - a team that could only knock one goal in (a penalty) at home to Blackpool and Stoke dont really deserve to get thier striker in the National team - and if they do - then be prepared for England (0) - Montenegro (take your pick)
While I look forward to him scoring against Man City, I think he hasn't been great lately - although that often has to do with the fact that the person he's knocking down to is too slow to react and that neither Routledge, Jonas or (against Stoke) Ben Arfa have put in the high balls he likes (Jonas seems to prefer low crosses to Nolan, who misses, or, once upon a time, to Lovenkrands) and Barton's coners don't often clear the first man. Not an ideal situation, is it?
Well, it is easy for a Yank footy fan to say this, but I am not impressed with Andy at all in this Premiership campaign. Aside from his stellar performance at Villa, he has been guilty of waiting for lobs or high passes (great point, Ted Baxter). He wears number 9. He has to know that if he is going to touch the ball, he needs to be more vocal and take more ownership.
Newcastle need to adjust their attacking style. In both the Blackpool and Stoke games, they did way to much advancement on the wings. Surely they have the size and muscle to dribble the ball into the edge of the area.
And they should shake things up. If Carroll hardly touches the ball, then have Ranger or Ameobi start in his place. THEY want to touch the ball.
I agree with the comments above, Andy has done fantasticaly well but is far from the finished article and I think it is a bit early for an England call up. Also he as only scored in two games this season not a great strike record. OK a magnificent hat trick against Villa, but how valuable would 2 of those goals have been spread around the other games, if you get my point, after all its still only 3 points for a win no matter how many goals you score. This is probably a lot to do with the strange team selections at home and equally mistifying tactics being emplyed at present. He needs a decent strike partner to work with, especially at home as playing him up front by himself is asking far too much, leading the line, holding the ball up and expecting to score as well is too much of a burden. I would like to see a more gentle introduction to the England team, when qualifcation for Euro 2012 is achieved, then he can go in under no pressure.