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Andy Carroll spotted partying with West Ham fans in Netherlands before AZ Alkmaar clash
Andy Carroll jetted off to the Netherlands to party with West Ham fans before their European clash with AZ Alkmaar.
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Former West Ham striker Andy Carroll was spotted out in the Netherlands cheering on his former side and joining in with the supporters in the streets of Holland before David Moyes' side play for a place in a European final. They take on AZ Alkmaar in the second leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final, having won 2-1 last week at the London Stadium.
The victors will play either Basel or Fiorentina in the final on June 7 in Prague, Czech Republic, as West Ham hope to claim their first piece of major silverware since 1980.
The Hammers were clearly in a buoyant move on their travels and were delighted to see Carroll pop up and join in with their "West Ham are massive everywhere we go" chant, before taking the time to chat and take selfies with the travelling group.
Carroll spent seven years at West Ham between 2012 and 2019 after his spell at Liverpool, making over 100 appearances as he clearly holds the club fondly in his memories - though more recently has been playing for Reading in the Championship prior to their relegation this season.
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Carroll had earlier been spotted with another ex-West Ham striker Tony Cottee, as supporters that made the journey were able to ponder over a hypothetical strike partnership between the pair.
Moyes has reverted to his strongest available line-up for the game. He has made nine changes from the Premier League defeat by Brentford on Sunday with Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio among those coming back into the team in Holland.
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Andy Carrol enjoying himself with the West Ham fans in Netherlands today.
— Football Away Days (@FBAwayDays) May 18, 2023
Class! ������ #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/FfEcR0bhnY
West Ham boss Moyes insisted that amid a difficult season, reaching a European final would be a "step forward" for his side. "For us to have qualified for Europe in the first year was incredible after avoiding relegation," he said before the game.
"The biggest achievement last year was still being sixth and seventh while getting to the semi-final of the Europa League.
"To reach a final and make a step forward this season would be a great achievement. Although there have been a couple of steps backward, getting to a final would be a step forward."