Recent reports from KUMB this morning state that Kevin Nolan could be set for a return to his boyhood club Bolton Wanderers but his wage demands could be a potential stumbling block.
Now 33-years-old, it looks as if Kevin Nolan’s West Ham career is drawing to a close and it is probably the right time for both parties to move on.
He was often the target of fans’ frustrations last year due to a number of below-par performances. The former Newcastle captain often looked off the pace and couldn’t produce the goals from midfield that made Nolan such a valuable asset to the Hammers in the first place.
Although last season was far from impressive, West Ham fans won’t forget the job he’s done for the club. It was a bit of a surprise when Nolan decided to drop down a division in 2011 to join West Ham after an impressive season in the North East, where he became a firm fan favourite with the Geordies. His performances in the Championship did not disappoint and he became a pivotal member of the first-team squad upon the club’s return to the Premier League.
He was a key figure in Sam Allardyce’s system at the club but he was certainly overplayed last season. In the first half of the previous campaign, Nolan was often used as a late substitute and it was a useful tactic considering the fact that the midfielder was not spritely enough to play the full 90 minutes.
Although this may have been the case, he played more regularly in the second half of last season and his age was beginning to show, especially at the highest level. It was largely due to Allardyce’s tendency to play the midfielder so regularly that led to Nolan’s downfall and overall disapproval from the fans last season. If he played a bit-part role across the entire season, he may have been a useful option but his continued presence in the starting eleven for West Ham was the final straw for many fans.
If Nolan is to leave this summer, he will be remembered as a good captain who performed well in his best years for the club, thriving in his partnership with Andy Carroll. Now, it looks as if the club are taking a massive step in a completely new direction and Kevin Nolan simply doesn’t fit the bill any more. Some may argue that his experience may be a valuable asset across a potentially tough season but he has looked off the pace for some time now.
He’s been a fantastic servant for West Ham but now is the right time to say goodbye to the chicken-dancing midfielder.
My car is available, the engine is running, and I will pay the fuel costs…where do you want to go Kevin…..Not your fault mate…being played by a useless blinkered obstinate mug of a manager week in week out when you were CLEARLY way past your best left you open to anger and ridicule form a usually loyal fan base. Thanks for the memories of your early seasons, but we are clearly upping the quality throughout and all things change. Good luck wherever you end up.
I have my 45ft lorry standing by for anything else that has to go with you Mr Nolan and just in case you were hiding BFS it’ll take the weight took lol .
Too even lol.