Negative views about Nolan?

[Heavy Metal Toon]

I've never understood this negativity towards Nolan, with comments like "he's got no pace or agility, and all he can do is score. Apart from score he does **** all else!"

Nolan is not slow at all. He's not quick, and he wont skin players, but it's not like he gets robbed of possession all the time because of his slow reactions and lack of pace with the ball. Watch the West Ham game again, and have a look at Nolan's assist. Nolan knows Best is running towards goal, and without even looking up, performs a quick turn and first touch perfect pass to Best,who gets his hatrick.

Nolan:

Pros -

Scores goals
Intelligence
Gets assists
Good passer of the ball
Very hard working, and tracks back well. He makes it hard for opposition midfielders.
Good strength.

 

[Amnesiac]

Said on the BBC606 forum that in the past few games his box to box play has been dramitcally improved and he has played extremely well. Popped up at the back clearing up some mistakes and popped up at the front to help the strikers. His passing has been getting quite good too, not Barton-esque but certainly not awful.

He's been instrumental to us this season, along with Barton, Tiote and our defence. I for one hope he ends his career here.

Should probably be doing work right now haha

 

[-jordan-]

He's got fantastic delivery. Especially from the North-East to the North-West.

 

[Amnesiac]

^ is your area that boring mate?

 

[Joe Kinnear]

I agree I think Nolans an excellent player he's strong on the ball and while he's not the quickest, but he doesn't need to be because he's got a good footballing brain and he leads by example on the pitch.

We've paid a lot of money in the last 15 years on big name midfielders and midfielders who are supposed to be the next big thing and the majority of them have been failures or haven't lived up to the potential or hype that they had when they joined the club. I think Nolan has been one of our better and more consistent midfielders of recent times and provided he's playing behind the striker he makes a massive difference having him in the team. I really think we suffer when he's pushed back into a central midfield role

 

[Joe Kinnear]

He's got fantastic delivery. Especially from the North-East to the North-West.

Ah yes Man United fan. I bet you wish you had 35 million to pay for a top British striking tallent and Englands next number 9. Must be gutting to see the team you hate and have written off so much sign two quality strikers in the window meanwhile your club sits and does nothing in January bar signing a third choice keeper as Fergie blew all his budget in the summer on a tramp

 

[It's all gone Fabricio]

For me Nolan is becoming a legend of the club!
Stuck with us when he could have left last year as there were offers! and had a cracking season last year
The lad isn't the best player in the squad but gives top effort every game and is a vital goalscorer (10 in the league this year)
We've bought ireland in so that when Nolan is tired we can rest him and bring in another quality player!
The midfield of the squad looks strong even with all the injuries at the moment!
Howay the lads

 

[Ameobi's Zeppelin]

He's got a football brain, that's for sure. Intelligent play making up for physical skill.

Definitely the beating heart of our team, along with Barton (and increasingly, Colocini and Enrique)

I would have *loved* to see him play alongside Solano, another great reader of the game.

 

[skalpel]

You only rarely see Nolan give less than 100%. As Tash says, he makes great plays without needing to look and some of his passing is almost telepathic. He's the definition of team player too, keeps things together on the pitch and obviously key to the whole team spirit thing. His composure infront of goal and passion to play make him one of my favourite Newcastle players in years, someone I certainly wouldnt want to drop to the bench.

 

[Jonas' Dance Teacher]

I like Super Kev but I do kinda agree that he is not that great!

He scores goals, an amazing amount really, he is a leader, scored 4 goals against the Mackems, gives 100%, tackles well, great in the dressing room, down to earth and gets odd assist (also has a canny celebration )

But, I agree that he goes missing in a game quite often, he is not great on the eye which is not really a bad thing but if you look at a player like Ireland at his best, I would rather have him in the team than Nolan. More assists, maybe not as much goals but I am not sure if Nolan will score as many in the 2nd half of season as the 1st anyway and Ireland will excite the fans

I have to stress that I like Kevin Nolan. I have his autograph and he is nice lad . But for our future and as we look to improve each season, I think Nolan will find himself one of those who will drop out