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
What reports? I haven’t heard or read that anywhere.
Not see this in any media? no way would Sam sell Nolan, Carroll & Nolan will be the only players in our line up in Sam’s eyes! for the new season, the others will only there to make up the numbers.
“Carroll & Nolan will be the only players in our line up in Sam’s eyes! for the new season, the others will only there to make up the numbers.”
Sorry but do you actually go to the matches? Stupid comment when you think Reid was outstanding all season and just to jog your memory won Hammer of the Year!!!! Ging was also very solid at the back and Matt Jarvis and Diame are just two more i can mention who Big Sam would never think of leaving out of the first 11 when fit!!!!!
Also, if you think this is a made up story, why perpetuate it and give it credence by debating it? It’s clearly a load of old tosh!
As well as perpetuating this nonsense it also gives a chance to the usual suspects to give it their negative spin.
I’m beginning to believe that not all supporters, Support!
I doubt we would sell a midfielder who’s scored 25 goals In 2 seasons when was the last midfielder we had that could do that
On the other hand he fills a spot in the team which could be better used by someone more creative, who also pops up in the right place to put them in. Can’t have two people doing that. I sometimes think that the team do not know how to work with him in midfield and he is then a liability.
Diame, Noble and two others
his goals are good. 3 came in the final match tho. and he did have a long lean spell mid season. thought our best football was played without him. wud be happy to sacrifice him to play 2 up top (not that sams likely t do that)
Why is this even being discussed?
Its clearly just made up by some sports journo that hasn’t got anything more factual to waste some more inches of his sports column on!
Highly unlikely Sam would let one of his favourites go in my opinion!
Nolan isn’t my favourite player but I have not seen one single report that Nolan is off. Certainly nothing on KUMB nor WHO and the official site story on SA included mention of Carroll and Nolan forming the main strike pairing next season….
I Agree with you dave his age is starting to show and yes he scored ten goals last year but there were more games last years where he wasn’t at his best compared to his formative years. Next year he will still be an important player but I believe it’s time to start edging him out of the starting eleven and moulding a younger player to play in his position, preferably jackie collison because he has the ability to be a 10+ goal a season midfielder just behind he big man.
It is made up and by this column. It’s in no papers or websites. If the author can provide a link I will happily apologise but in his own words the media are looking for stories to fill columns and that’s exactly what he’s done.
Made my day when I saw it but then dreams faded and died when I realised it was a made up story
Idiot. Support the feller, he won us several games with his goalscoring instinct and he clearly generates a great team spirit.
ChickenRunCharlie
Games we would have won if he didn’t play. The idiots are the ones who cannot see that a more competent player would enhance our chances to win and not just hope for the ‘important’ goal.
He is the captain of the team and the main reason we got out of the championship first time around and he has brought harmony to the team and dressing room. You don’t have to be the best player to be the most important and that is what he is to West Ham.
This is a pathetic article by the way, they wouldn’t have him on the Official website parading in the new kit if they were trying to sell him…
Thank god someone other than me can see the blindingly obvious Arteee !!! Any other manager than Allardyce wouldn’t have him near the team..talk about settling for mediocrity.
Super Captain Kevin Nolan is going nowhere!! Why do people have a downer about Kevin Nolan!? Fans are fickle and seem to have short memories!! Captain Matthew Upson anyone!!
I hope we see Captain Kev lead us out at the Olympic Stadium….
coyi
coz he is a lazy f*** and his legs have gon anyway
R u serious no no no no dont be silly u shouldn’t never get rid of a capt never he is a leader simple no
try thinking before you write…if someone can be bought in that’s better then any of our players in any positions, then it has to be seeya..its called progress…..
If you set up with a big center forward with long balls and crosses feeding him then forward playing midfielder types score goals off him don’t they? A good proportion of Nolan’s goals last season were scored like that. I really can’t see that part of Sam’s plans is to get rid of him. I could be wrong but sounds to me more like a journo with nothing better to do than make up a story.
Great captain but for me struggles in the second striker role. Goals change games but his contribution outside the box in minimal as shown when he had a baron spell mid season, would be a major part of my squad but would love to see Ravel Morrison slowly bloodied into his replacement as a bit part player this year.
Sooner he’s offloaded the better. So limited as a player its untrue and hes managed to pull the wool over so many eyes (look at some of the comments on this topic !!) Get a good young pair of CREATIVE legs in the midfield, get a REAL front man up there (not a luxury goalhanger) and see what happens. Theres only so many games you can carry someone. We have got where we were despite Nolan, NOT because of him. The times the game was screaming out for more legs and effort in the middle when we were getting overrun, yet Allardyce just sat glued to his seat, almost afraid to remove Nolan and upset him. IF West Ham as a club are to move upwards, then changes must be made, and its clear to all who understand the game that Nolans time is up.
Hear hear
Fucking idiots who are slagging him off, he gives us his all, you can tell he loves the club superb captain! He won’t last many years longer but even as a squad player his great for the dressing room, he’ll always score goals…
Goals! Leadership! Fight! And bottle! What more can anyone ask of a player? Let alone captain? Some people have short memories, a few dodgy away performances aside there were no spineless humiliating thumpings last season! Not so long ago we were good for at least two such spankings a year. It’s amazing what a bit of leadership, fight, bottle and organisation can do! He may not be blessed with silky skills but his other attributes more than make up for it! Back your players! Support your club! COYI!
if only kevin nolan was 50 per cent of billy bonds he would be a great player for west ham,but he is not.Is he club captain and always on the team sheet because of andy carroll ,big sam knows that they are great mates,would AC have signed if nolan was not at the club.Kevin Nolan is a very average player he tends to play the wrong ball,and does not tackle back ,both Joe Cole or Jack Collison would do a better job given the chance .I am sorry to say l think sam will stick with Nolan next season as captain,and play him most games.Sam has overall done a very good job,but with Nolan and also maybe with Carroll he has put too much faith,only time and results will tell
John, having watched Joe Cole since he was in the youth team, I can tell you he is a worse player now than he was at 17, for a player that’s played at the clubs he has he did not make the most of his talent, I hope SA can give him the confidence to show his true ability, as for Collison he gives a 100% but he is like many of our players at a level somewhere between championship and premiership level, great imo for the subs bench but rarely a starter. Nolan doesn’t have the greatest engine on him but he should always start as he is a proven goalscorer not only that but creates goals by occupying great spaces drawing defenders thus providing opportunities for others. I do agree with your points on his work rate but as a whole package to the team he would still start because of the effect he has on the other players.
John..spot on mate…thank god some of have the intelligence to see whats really happening !!