West Ham manager Sam Allardyce has spoken about the impact Andy Carroll has made since making the decision to leave Liverpool on a season-long loan.

While Liverpool are left wondering how they only have one senior striker for the next three months, after the injury to Fabio Borini, Allardyce's side has been able to benefit from the arrival of the England international.

The strikers presence has not just made a difference on the pitch, but Allardyce believes his arrival gave the entire first team squad a lift as they look to secure safety in their first season back in the Premier League.

Andy Carroll
The signing of Carroll has worked as a masterstroke for West Ham.

"Andy was a big, big signing for us," states Allardyce. "Even though it's only a loan deal for a season, I think the size of the player, not just in stature terms, but in terms of his ability, has given us something to build on.

"He is a signing we can build from and I think that, coupled with Matt Jarvis earlier in the week, and then in the end Yossi Benayoun , made the squad secure in strength and depth.

"While Yossi hasn't been able to break in on a regular basis just yet, Matt Jarvis and Andy Carroll, have made a major impact to the rest of the team. It has made them feel like we can do something this season in terms of where we finish in the Premier League."

West Ham are currently seventh in the table, five points and seven places clear of Carroll's parent club Liverpool, having already secured impressive wins over Aston Villa, QPR and Fulham.

Carroll has only been able to make one appearance for West Ham after picking up an injury in his first game for the club but has already become a fan favourite at Upton Park.

However, it is not just the new arrivals which have impressed Allardyce as he made a special mention for centre-back Winston Reid and midfield duo Mark Noble and Kevin Nolan.

When asked who has caught the eye this season, Allardyce said: "I think one of the most impressive has been Winston Reid who hasn't really been in this country that long and in his first year suffered relegation with West Ham.

"The improvement of Winston and the consistency of performances he gave us as a central defender have been key to some of our results, because our defensive unit as a team and as individuals have been very good.

"From the players I inherited when I first joined West Ham, obviously Mark Noble has come good. My captain, Kevin Nolan, who's been here before and leads the team on and off the field has made a good start as well.

"Most of the players, to be perfectly honest with you, have done their job, and hopefully they can continue to and continue to get the results that we're looking for."

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