For a derailed club, relegated out of the best league in the world into the Npower Championship of English football, Kevin Nolan was a transfer coup. Nolan, who at the time was enjoying reasonable success and mid table mediocrity, took a cut to join up with former manager and mentor Sam Allardyce. However despite this good bit of business by David Gold and David Sullivan and Allardyce alike, many people went on to criticise Big Sam’s tactics, including his lynchpin in the middle, Kevin Nolan.
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But now, after a hard season in the Championship, the Irons are back in the Premier League, and just how valuable could West Ham’s number 4 prove to be in the top flight?
Nolan’s experience is invaluable. 10 years at Bolton Wanderers saw Nolan grace several competitions, initially gaining promotion, before steering the trotters to become a Premier League fixture and beyond into Europe with Allardyce at the helm. A transfer to Newcastle United in the region of £4 million followed this success and it didn’t take “Nobby” long to become a strong figure in the Magpies’ dressing room, scoring 17 goals in a season in the Championship before playing a key part for the toon in the Premiership.
However Nolan was keen to join up with Allardyce once more and linked up with his former manager at relegated West Ham last season, scoring 13 goals and frequently linking up the play which pushed the Irons on to Wembley play-off promotion. While the tactics Big Sam used, and at times the work ethic of Nolan were criticised, the effective formula of the pairing paid dividends at the end of the season and although Hammers fans did not always see free flowing football, they did see a team that was hard to beat and gained their ultimate goal. So now, back in the Premier League, should we value Nobby’s contribution?
He has proved his goal scoring worth as a midfielder and has been a captain at every club he has played for as well as at England under 21 level and it is obvious that he leads by example through grit and determination.
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So should we value our captain’s contribution to the club? This journeyman footballer, this servant of the long ball game, this northerner? Of course. Nolan’s strength of character not only has led the younger players over the last 12 months, but his experience and knowledge of the game appears to have made a bond in the dressing room which is something that was definitely missing before. With his experience and goal scoring prowess, we can surely expect to see more from the big number 4 after Nobby opened his account against Aston Villa on Saturday.
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Definately, the best Captain we have had for some time. From day One he impressed me with his general Affect on the players around him. I was particuarly impressed on the way he encouraged young Potts in his first game.Nolan plays with a smile on his face, Scores invaluable goals, but foremost gives his all for the Team. I spoke to some Newcastle Supporters when he first joined the Hammers. They were sorry to see him go, and had nothing but Praise though they thought he was not the fastest of Players. He has a habit though of cropping up where it counts. And his presence will be important this Season.
Nolan will be forever appreciated on Tyneside for his 4 goals against the mackems in 2010/11
Took a cut? He took a pay rise to join West Ham. Only in it for the money.
I’m a Newcastle fan and I have to say he is one of my favourite players of all times. His Goals from midfield are so valuable and is what a modern team needs.