Andy Gray

Andy Carroll has started the season very well but I am resisting the temptation to go overboard about his qualities. He needs to keep learning the game and watch what he does off the field. He has what it takes to be a first class striker but plenty of young players have had the potential to make the step up and failed. Personally, I am excited to see a big, physical, old-fashioned centre forward succeeding in the Premier League. Carroll won't score every week and he will have dry patch but if he can get 20 to 25 goals a season then he will be elevated to the first rank of strikers. I believe Fabio Capello is right to pick him for England's friendly against France. He has plenty of Under 21's caps and promotion to the first team is a natural progression for Carroll. I disagree ...

Every week, Betfair Football's star tipster Andy Gray picks out and answers his favourite question out of those he is asked on Twitter and Facebook. Here's his answer to this week's poser... "Can Newcastle United secure a Europa League spot this season?" - @gypsyparis In short, no. Newcastle have had some terrific results - the humbling of Sunderland and the win at the Emirates being the highlights - but their home form remains questionable. They lost to Blackburn at St James' Park in midweek and prior to that they were defeated by Stoke and Blackpool. If you want to get into Europe, you simply cannot drop points at home against mid-table opposition. Bettors have to be wary of promoted teams who make promising starts to the season. Burnley began well last season and went down ...