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Carr Out For Six Months
This morning Tom Ross broke the sad news on Twitter that Stephen Carr has been ruled out for six months having had to have an operation on his knee. The club captain had been back in full training after recovering from a thigh injury sustained in the opening minutes of the pre-season friendly against Royal Antwerp but had to see a specialist after his knee became swollen. It’s a bitter blow for the Irishman and the question has to be asked if this is the end of the road for Carr.
2012 has been a tough year for Stephen Carr; he has only played two competitive games this calendar year after suffering a knee injury in December he came back in February only to break down again in the draw against Chelsea in the FA Cup. Some Blues fans (including me it has to be said) wondered if he was finished but Carr signed a one year contract extension in the summer, and was looking as fit as ever in pre-season before this latest blow.
Whilst the signing of Paul Caddis on loan means that Blues have a ready-made replacement in the position, I don’t think you can underestimate the loss of Carr to the team. As Club Captain he’s the leader of the side and I think that leadership is missed when he’s not playing. I recall Steven Caldwell saying at the supporters club forum in April that whilst he was proud to lead the team in Carr’s absence he preferred it when the Irishman was in the team because he felt that the team missed Carr massively and that his presence on the pitch gave everyone a boost.
I think it will be easy to write Carr off as finished – after all, the right-back is 36 now and he’s getting to an age where most footballers will have hung up their boots. However, I think that may be premature – in pre-season Carr was at fit as the proverbial butcher’s dog and I’m told that in Austria he still trained with the energy and appetite of a much younger pro. If he can maintain that hunger, that attitude and that drive to succeed during his rehabilitation there is no reason why he will not make a first team come back towards the back-end of the season.
Whilst this injury will give Paul Caddis a chance for a lengthy spell in the first team it once again highlights that behind Caddis Blues don’t have any other dedicated right backs. Spector can d a good job in the position and I think Hayden Mullins is capable enough there but neither are out-and-out full backs. Even in the Academy, Will Packwood is a centre half/defensive midfielder, Jack Deaman is a centre half (who admittedly takes a mean corner) and whilst there is John Higgins who is playing in the development squad and is a full back, he isn’t signed on terms that would allow him to play in the first team.
It’s a bitter pill to swallow and I will miss Blues’ mercurial Irishman. I’m sure I’m not the only one who will wish Stephen Carr a speedy recovery – let’s hope that his injury doesn’t impact the team too hard.
Tags: Paul Caddis, Stephen Carr
11 Responses to “Carr Out For Six Months”
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I’m pretty sure Clark must have seen this coming, hence the signing of Caddis. Caddis reminds me of a younger version of Carr, especially the way he bombed up the wing against Peterborough – having a shot just over the bar too. Hopefully he’ll have a decent relationship with Burke on that side of the pitch, because I can definitely see Caddis doing those overlaps that Carr was so well known for. It’s a blow and you’d rather have Carr fit and available, but at least we’ve got a Plan B. God help us if we hadn’t signed Caddis.
God help us if Caddis gets injured though.
Age never seemed to matter to Carr, he always held his own and was one of the players we love up here, plus he feels the same way about the filth as we do. Showed it too.
Didn’t he retire through injury once before and then came back?
Sadly I think that’s it for Steve now. He leaves with a great reputation intact.
I think, like everyone, I am gutted for the player and wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully, a return to playing for us again. A big concern for me is the absence of an inspirational “old pro” on the pitch. Currently, leadership is lacking and this needs tobe sorted if we are going to make any sort of progress this season.
Unfortunatley this may be the end for the man that lifted the silverwear on that glorious sunday at wembley – hope not as he epitimised the blues spirit – KRO
This is so sad and let’s hope he makes a speedy recovery.
He’s just a credit to the game and to BCFC.
I too believe that this is the end of the road for a great servant of the club. Love the guy: his attitude, energy, work ethic and leadership qualities and he will be sadly missed by his team mates and fans.
I sat about 3 rows back in the Kop during the semi-final against West Ham. After nearly 2 hours of football I could still hear his footsteps over all the noise as he charged up the right wing in extra time.
An absolutely incredible player and professional – an all rounder if you like.
I hope he comes back. His fitness, determination to play and his work-rate are much bigger factors than his age. His injuries though, are even bigger factors and fingers crossed he can get himself better and finish the season on the pitch.
Hope SC makes a speedy recovery and is back to form soon. Be good if he still had a role in the backroom, he is a top bloke and deserves the credit he gets. He so needs to get his coaching badges here at blues. I bet his frustration is beyond anyone elses.
ALMAJIR, !!. Is it known whether Stephan Carr, has his coaching badges yey, ??.
I don’t believe so and I doubt that he will get them, don’t believe he is interested.
Thanks for the reply, mate. if your surmation is correct, ?. It will be our loss, — but — I could not see a place for him within L,C’s set-up anyway,!!!.