Our Enigmatic skipper

I think I speak for every West Ham fan when I write that in the aftermath of that fateful and dramatic day at the DW stadium which saw us tumble out of the land of milk and honey erstwhile known as the Premier League, we all took the speculation about a swoop for Kevin Nolan, the Newcastle midfielder who managed 12 goals for the newly promoted Magpies last season, with a large pinch of salt. Rather surprisingly though, the David’s managed to pull it off and Hammers fans everywhere were ecstatic! Nolan was obviously the replacement for the talismanic Scott Parker and as far as replacements go for newly relegated sides Nolan for Parker was seen by all as a real coup.

It was a huge gamble by Messers Sullivan and Gold in bestowing upon Nolan the kind of contract that those at the Toon didn’t feel he was worth. Reportedly earning upwards of 60k a week and with Big Sam installing him as captain; and with the memories still fresh within the minds of football fans just what an inspiration he had been for the Newcastle side that swept all before them in Championship’s 09/10 season. Scoring 16 goals from midfield as well as scooping the Championship player of the season award. It’s fair to say a lot was expected from our new captain.

So far and keeping in perspective we’re only eight games into the new season…the common consensus amongst us long suffering Irons is that the man charged with filling Parker boots has so far been a little ineffective. Two goals from eight matches for an attacking midfield player isn’t bad going. However Nolan has so far failed to put in the dominant and all conquering sort of displays we were expecting. Even at this early stage it is fair to say that Nolan hasn’t resembled a man who truly excelled in the Premier League last year, so far he’s looked ordinary in the league below. Though it’s very much early days in the season and I would still expect Nolan to score many a late winner at home and on the road.

I feel Nolan is being asked to play a deeper role in order to let the likes of Lansbury, Collison and Noble go forward, the blend in the midfield is still fermenting as I’m sure Big Sam himself isn’t even sure which system/formation is going to prove most fruitful for us. I’m no expert on Newcastle’s glorious Championship winning season but I do believe one of the reasons Nolan excelled that season is that he had in Alan Smith someone to do all the nitty gritty whilst he got forward and stole the headlines.

For all the midfield talent we possess on our books we only have one truly defensive midfield player in Bouba Diop…so is that the answer? Sacrifice a Lansbury or a Noble for Diop in order to get the best of out of Nolan?

It’s a riddle Sam will have to solve if we are to see Nolan recapturing the form with which he lead Newcastle out of the darkness and back into the light.

Agree with Kwame’s analysis of our captain? Let us know on Twitter @Forever_WestHam