So he’s our new captain, he’s scored some goals for us, and he does the funky chicken when he celebrates. But something keeps stopping me from warming to our new recruit.
I know he’s a million miles better than Upson who, let’s face it, never deserved to hold the captaincy when we had Scott Parker on the pitch. But for me he’s still a bit too ‘silly’ to be a captain. I found his ‘shadowing the goalie’ routine funny the first few times, but now I just kind of want to shake him and tell him to live up to his responsibility.
Call me a spoilsport if you like, but he just strikes me as a bit of a (enter any appropriate swear word). I can’t think of any other way to say it. Can anyone think of other likely candidates to be our captain? In a few years I’d hand the responsibility of captain to Noble or Tomkins – I like the thought of a home grown talent leading their club out every Saturday.
But there’s something I can’t put my finger on that makes me uneasy about Nolan. I think his football can be sloppy and the rest of the midfield carry him sometimes.
Please help me readers, I don’t feel right not fully supporting our captain! Answers on a postcard on how to like him more please…
I love the idea of Noble as the Captain. He was always my second choice behind Parker. As for Nolan, he just seems to remind me of the type of player that couldn’t care less about tactical discipline, and supplements that and his lack of technical prowess with high energy. Not trying to take away from the man, but it almost seems… childish? I think he’s a good player and all but there are some games where we cannot afford to have a central midfielder doing whatever he pleases while the rest of the squad have to pick him up defensively. All this in mind, I wonder if he being captain was a prerequisite for him moving to the club. Who knows?
just off the cuff anyone seen brian montenegro play at all? heard he is superb. also maybe tomkins in 2 years
heard the same but nah haven’t seen anything myself
This is pure dross. Nolan is a leader, one we have lacked for some time. He also scores a fair share of goals and gets into dangerous positions. Noble on the otherhand, had been poor for quite some time, with the odd exception. How many games did noble cost us last season, too many bad challenges around the box. Poor form to put unneeded pressure on our captain, we are 2nd in the league!!!! Seriously, deluded.
Im with you L! I can’t understand why people keep slagging off Nolan when he is one of our only players that can change a game! He’s class and a natural leader!
Jeez cut the guy some slack he scores opportunist goals by being there has leadership and actual skill in the game. He along with the rest of the squad will get us back to the prem
I always thought Lucas Neil was a great captain and many fans slagged him off. Boy did we miss him when he was gone, same goes for Nolan. If fans knew what they were talking about they would be managers, I think that sums it up. You’re not a manager, neither am I, and Nolan looks like a leader to me. Take from that what you will!
Lucas neil was a good captain yes but he also wasn’t a naturaul defender he saved us a few games but also cost us truemendously and lacked pace and judgement and we could of done with him in the center, but then again he couldn’t read a game. If you get me. I agree with you on the manager point.
One of my mates at uni is a newcastle fan he hated the fact they let him go he was his favourite player, and through the years he is a natural goal scorer for an attacking midfielder what else could you want? Maybe he isn’t the quickest or technically the best but what he does, he does well, personally I thought he was our weak link in our team he seemed to run around the pitch like he owned it but then he came out and said he needs to play better and fair play to him I think he has! Noble is class I’d personally love him to be captain one day I know he made mistakes that cost us points but he’ll learn! I think scotty p has improved nobles game maybe a few more years and he’ll be a force in midfield, for passion you can’t get anyone more dedicated than noble!
Whilst I will never be a huge Nolan fan, he is 10 times the Captain Upson was. No doubt he needs support around him, he spends a lot of his time supporting the Striker. Lets give him our support all the way back to the Premiership!
Nolan is a leader, simple as that, we have carried some of his performances this term, however he leads with direction and effort and is without doubt Sam’s on the pitch voice.
How many goals has Noble or Collison scored this term ? Nolan has scored crucial goals in tight games just like on monday, he pounced, he scored, he does the funky chicken … it ain’t pretty but it does the job.
We haven’t got out of second gear due to a lack of pace yet were sat in second place with only Derby and Boro around us that we haven’t played yet …
I am sure more quality will arrive in January to supplement the effort so far, but for now I’d gladly take where we are on the road to automatic promotion over pretty football and one team Scotty Parker at the helm
Nolan has tried to get into the spirit of upton park from the beginning.He recognises the need for the team to be unified off and on the pitch.He is a poacher always looking for opportunities. He loves west ham fans because we are the 13th man on the pitch. He will have his off days like anybody else, and a sign of a good leader is he supports, and praises he team mates as well as accepts blame when things go wrong. So far he is showing good signs.He needs us behind him to take him to the next level of confidence that will win crucial matches in this campaign.Tom’s spot on he speaks for the boss on the pitch what a weighty responsibility for a massive club like ours.Let’s get behind him 100 % we will be champions southampton will start dropping off around January when we should be taking off.