Recent media reports suggest that West Ham United maybe looking to offload club captain, and leading goalscorer last season, Kevin Nolan.
To be honest, I firmly believe that this is the media looking for stories to fill their columns. The summer has been slow for transfer stories, so this normally means the media pick on West Ham.
First of all, why would Sam Allardyce sell a player who he admires so much? Nolan was the first signing made by Allardyce when he arrived at the club in the summer of 2011. He immediately installed the Scouse midfielder as the captain, and it proved to be a good decision. Allardyce and Nolan lead the Hammers back to the Premier League in their first season at the club.
Next, could West Ham do without his goals? Nolan finished in double figures again last season, and was the clubs leading goalscorer. A lot of supporters question what else he brings to the team apart from goals and leadership. If totally honest, he is not my favourite player, but there is no denying that goals and leadership are what Nolan is about. He has that knack of popping up at the right place to get vital goals.
Nolan has also been a link to bring Andy Carroll to the club. Nolan was his mentor at Newcastle and helped him through some very tough times in Carroll’s younger days.
Finally, I think it’s more the case that we keep Nolan, and if he was to be dropped, he would still be a good squad player. I think Allardyce will keep Nolan until the captain hangs up his boots.
COME ON YOU IRONS!!
By Chelmo Hammer
I simply can not fathom some of the views expressed on here.
Nolan is not my favourite player, far from it, but no-one can deny the job he has done galvanising the players into a team, his leadership should never be under-estimated and the obvious togetherness of the squad is vital.
Maybe some of the contributors on here have forgotten already the splits in the squad caused by the cliques of Reo-coker, Anton Ferdinand et al.
If you add in the fact that Nolan was our top scorer last season, I, for one would like to see him stay, but then again I am a SUPPORTER.
I like Nolan for his goals and he is a top geeza, he takes his time with the fans unlike player like rob green who walks past. And he finished on double figures. For this hes a big part of next seasons plans. I’d like to see him next season with Morrison coming on when legs are tired . I think we could score alot more goals from midfield this way. And with Carroll upfront with prospects of another if not 2 descent strikers. ( demba ba) or ( zaha) loan , i can see descent things for west ham next season. Nolan keep, and get Morrison involved!!! COYI!!!!!
Dreadful story, does not warrant a serious response!
and you sir are a rude little berk – where’s you blog? Oh you don’t have one? thought not! Idiot!
Can you really see any top name striker wanting to come to West Ham as a back up to Carroll, knowing they will only get a chance if Carroll is injured. Unless Sam has a change of heart and plays two up front, which is unlikely, to do so would mean dropping Nolan.
32 comments & not one of them said “yeah I read that too” You clearly made this crock up to spark a debate about selling our team captain who’s obviously going nowhere. It’s divisive & unhelpful.
Anyone writing off Nolan hasn’t a fekin clue about football. The man is massive for us. He is like a manager on the field. And his goals have not been just important, but totally crucial. Man is one in a million. You tosser teenagers playing Football Manager on your blogs should get off your keyboard and try playing the game. Maybe then you might turn some of that wood into brains.
funny this is what a section of newcastle fans were saying 2 year ago. his legs have gone, he doesnt get involved in games, time to sell and now when colo is injured they are a leaderless mess heading down the table. even cabaye looked lost and unable to halt their slide and now there are cries of we should never of got rid of nolan, he always fights, scores goals and has an influence in the dressing room thats posative when things go bad. be careful what you wish for. remember being relegated with j.cole, di canio, sinclair, carrick, defoe, kanoute etc plenty of talent, creativity and goals there but sometimes thats not enough.
You what?