Who gives a f*** about indoors? I don't recall Coe and Aouita worrying about who they were racing in January.
Where's El Gerrouj, whose he racing this weekend?
Its a long year. Webb shouldn't be in top shape just yet.
I agree however that because of his noteriety and big contract he's probably overconcerned about the fact he could be badly beaten by others outside his primary event in the early season. You're not going to see him enter the 5000 at a meet were there are several top Americans for example. But Coe used to run a lot of club races and such early in the season.
Webb is well coached and Raszco will have him race off distances but Webb will never enter a top quality event unless he knows he's totally focused on peaking and competing his best for that race. You may call it overcoaching, or training through races too much, but that seems the direction they take. Unlike guys like Scott and Walker who would race anybody anytime and not worry about if they were in TIP TOP peak shape.
Webb seems to operate in a very controlled training environment, like Coe. He won't race big dogs and risk losing face when he's in an intense training period.
Nonetheless, 7:47 and leading much of the race is pretty good right now. Webb wanted to run fast and Carrol benefited from that.