West Ham United Captain, Kevin Nolan has been an ever present figure in the Hammers line-up, however, is it time to drop him in favour of those on the fringes of breaking into the starting line-up?
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Throughout the season Nolan has proven his worth time and time again, popping up with the odd goal here and there, getting us a well-needed point or three. But as the season has progressed and as his impact lessens fans are questioning his right to cement his role in the side, despite him being the captain of the club.
Opinions on Nolan are quite divided amongst fans, with many feeling his contribution and leadership is crucial if we are to succeed in the Premier League. Whereas on the other hand, some feel the likes of Alou Diarra, Jack Collison and Gary O’Neil should be given the chance to prove their worth. I personally feel Nolan deserves a place in the side as he does have an impact however I do also feel there are better players out there than him and if we were to sign a new centre midfielder with class, I would happily sacrifice him ahead of Momo Diame and Mark Noble.
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The problem that Big Sam has is that he can’t just suddenly drop his captain. The second Nolan is put on the bench a couple of scenarios could follow. The first outcome could result in Nolan accepting the manager’s decision and still try his hardest to motivate them from the bench and during half time team talks and so on. The other possibility could see Nolan react in a negative manner, complaining about the decision and disrupt the team’s morale and squad harmony amongst staff and players.
I can understand why Nolan was selected to be captain of the club, because of his experience helping Newcastle and the influence he has, however I still strongly feel Mark Noble should have been given the armband rather than vice-captain and just reverse the roles. Not only would this have put more heart into the East London side and localise it more, it also allows Big Sam to play about more with the line-up as Noble is also clearly an important player in Big Sam’s game plan.
By having Nolan as vice-captain it still provides him the opportunity to get his voice across with authority, rather than just your average squad member would. This also allows Big Sam the chance to drop him from the side without feeling pressured or obligated to keep in the side.
The thing with Nolan is that he is a game changer when he is on form and no one can fault that. He scores goals, gets assists and his attacking movement is class, but defensively he lacks urgency and can come across as being lazy (especially in comparison to Noble and Diame) who are both box to box midfielders.
I feel as though Nolan should be given a couple more games to prove he is still capable of taking the club forward, however if he fails to materialise some form and get back his scoring habits, new signings or youth players should be given the chance to prove their worth in his place.
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I think it’s just a case of the old saying ‘form is temporary, class is permanent’ we all know what he can do, despite him failing to offer the side much at the moment in form terms. Over time he will find his feet again and prove he is the right man to have in the side and as fans we should get behind our captain and help drive the team on, not give it more hurdles to get over by doubting our own leader.
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COYI!
5 gols in the firdt 8 games 0 assists and his attacking movement is donkey class. Hes shit and should be sold straight up.
It was time to drop Nolan months ago. We are in effect playing with 10 men every time he is picked (9 if we include Mr Vaz “Ooops, I nearly broke into a trot then” Te.
Nolan is taking up a space that we need to fill with legs, creativity or bite. We cannot keep sticking him in week after week after week waiting for something to happen like the odd goal. We are clearly being overrun as spaces are not being filled due to lack of mobility. Just check out the appalling work rates of Nolan and Vaz Te (I dont just mean lack of effort, but lack of INTELLIGENT effort which makes a difference to the team. Can someone please tell me what Allardyce is seeing that the rest of us arent ???
To see Joe Cole. Matt Jarvis and Diame sitting on the bench while we got humiliated on Wednesday beggared belief. And Sam, please listen to me VAZ TE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO PLAY IN THE FIRST TEAM !!!!
got to agree mate nolan has been a passenger for a good while now no one is to good to be droppedput joe there simple as for vaz te well out of his depth sell sell sell along with oneil diarra and carlton cole
Nolan is finished. , far to slow , we always set up for the long ball but even if Carlton or Carroll win it Nolan is 30 yards off the striker. The game is all about pace and power on the break .diame shines because of our mundane midfield , you have to break at speed this is why we are poor away.Cannot hope for set pieces all game!
Both last replies correct,Nolan has not played well for a long while he looks totally out of his comfort zone in the hole behind C.Cole it means the make up of the side is picked to accommodate him.
I would love to know why Sam left out Cole,Diame and Jarvis played Vaz Te who is one of the laziest players in the league and what possessed him to bring young Potts on when we where well behind.
It looks to me as though he picks a side home and away just to nick a win or draw.
Also he brings in all these loan players hardly ever picks them and says they are not fit enough,well the team I watch every week except for a couple of players look well of the pace
I think he brought on Potts as an act of mercy to Joey O’Brien, who had been slaughtered all night. I agree with you that the rest of it is pretty much a mystery.
Joey O is a seasoned pro who was getting run ragged if he thought young Potts could handle them better he should have started with him. Remember we were losing and needed somebody to change the game and that was not Potts.
Allardyce is too negative if we are going to lose at least lets go down fighting not like the majority of them on parade Wednesday anybody with a modicum of intelligence can see that Nolan and Vaz Te are not doing their job and should be replaced
The modern game is built on speed and finesse. Sadly, we have none. We are more like the burly Northern Sunday Working mans club side. Need to wise up or suffer the ultimate penalty. Coyi
Nolan has been and still is the man for the job, talk of making Noble captain is STOOPID !!! As far as I can see 95% of Noble’s passes go backwards and I think the team would go backwards if he was skipper.
I can’t agree If we were being dominated in midfield it might be different but we are not It is converting chances that is our problem & although Nolan hasn’t scored for a while he has been close He needs to be treated as a goal poacher primarily. I think we might have been in the bottom 3 without the benefit of his goals Memories are short!
Thats in the past. Whats is Nolan doing NOW…Nothing. get rid, hes way past his best. Everyone can see that.