Has Carroll Saved Sam?

As we go into tonight's game against Manchester City, most of us West Ham fans are expecting the worse -  although weirder things have happened in football and a performing West Ham can cause problems for any team.

The only good news West Ham fans have received in recent weeks is that Andy Carroll has returned to training with the first team, so he's return to the first team line-up will hopefully be just around the corner.

The return of Andy is expected to kick start our season as the missing link in our team is a powerful striker who can deal with the long balls. I personally believe Modibo Maiga has improved dramatically in the last few games and a team who played to his strengths would have a decent player.

But with the return of Carroll, will it heap more pressure onto Big Sam?

So far, all the 'experts' have given Sam the benefit of the doubt, citing that our current injury problems haven't helped us, something we can all agree with. But with Andy returning any bad results will push Sam ever close to the exit.

I feel that the return of Carroll has saved Sam his job up until this point, with the board assuming that upon his return results will miraculously swing our way.