Nolan Next Season

In many people's formations and lineups for next season, Kev is usually left out of the squad, with people opting to stick Barton in the middle.
Nolan has scored the most goals for us this season at 12, and it looks like he will stay top of that list, with Leon Best trailing in second with 6 (though he did only gain a place into the squad earlier this year).
I just want your opinions on this, should we really leave Kev out when he has been such a goal threat (4th highest in the League at the moment)?
On top of his goal threat he is a leader amongst the group and seems to really have the respect of the fans and players..
So is he really that replaceable?
Read more at my blog... just kidding

 

No, Nolan would be one f the first names on my team sheet. He is a leader on the pitch and he scores goal. He is probably our most intelligent player and after all he is the captain. He also has great technical ability.

 

I would still start him next season, although if we strengthen appropriately in summer we should be rotating a bit more so there wont be a set starting 11.

 

I thought that was that annoying Mark character for a minute then.

He'd be in my first team. 12 league goals this season, great leader. I don't know why people don't like him, must be something to do with Football Manager/FIFA stats.

 

No. It's something to do with his technical ability. Always a useful goalscoring threat though and his experience and leadership are key. Not the greatest of CM's but he's a good player, just think he might be better coming off the bench.

 

i think he will still be a big player for us next season, maybe barton might replace him as captain when he's not playing. i see him next season as an impact player for us but i still imagine he will get 30 appearences, he's a top goalscorer from th middle but rarely sets up goals or anyone else, it looks like ben arfa will take his place next season in that attacking role, but i hope he scores 15 goals this season.

 

The only way Nolan will play is if he play this -

---------------------New stiker-----------------------

-----------------------Nolan--------------------------

-Ben Arfa--------Tiote----------Barton--------Gutierrrez/New RW


I personally think Nolan could still have a big impact next season, but he will be used as an impact player and cover as Tiote and Barton will most likely get suspensions.

 

I'd have

---------------------New stiker----------------

---------------------Ben Arfa------------------

-Guti--------Tiote----------Nolan--------Barton

 

^ Ben Arfa will be playing a central, "number 10 role" next season, Pardew has confirmed, I can see something like

------------Nolan--------Tiote
Barton-----------Ben Arfa-----------Jonas

 

My one would be

Barton/NEW RW Ireland(on form)/Nolan Tiote Guti
Ben Arfa
NEW ST

Smudger : Nolan isn't a DM.. he will get ****ed up and run over.

 

As Pards has already stated that he plans to use Ben Arfa as a number 10 I think Nolan's chances of getting in the first eleven will depend on how he plans to use Barton. If he stays out on the right then yes he might fit him into centre midfield (although i don't see him as a defensive mid) but if he invests in a decent right winger and brings Barton into the centre then I think Nolan, despite his goals, will be backup or an impact sub.

Personally I think we will have a midfield like this, with Nolan being back up for Ben Arfa.

---------Barton ------ Tiote ------------
New RW ------Ben Arfa ---------Gutierrez

 

I like that ^

 

If we play a lone striker it MUST be a target man that can hold the ball up and bring Ben Arfa, Jonas and our other creative players into play. Ba does sound like a good shout.

This is who I would sign next year:

Ba
Jarvis/Kranjcar
Samba

And my team would be:

Harper
Simpson
Collo
Samba
Jose

Jonas
Tiote
Barton
Jarvis/Kranjcar

Ben Arfa

Ba


I know Nolan should really be a regular starter but he would come in if any of the midfield five were injured or suspended. He can be a straight swap with Barton Tiote and Ben Arfa and if one of the wingers gets injured we can push Barton wide right and have Nolan in the middle. Sorted.

 

He wouldnt be a defensive mid, the positions on the formation shouldnt be taken too literally, he and Tiote would play as they do now, one defensive, one going forward more, probably more of a 4-4-1-1.

 

I like Smudger's:


------------Nolan--------Tiote
Barton-----------Ben Arfa-----------Jonas

Ideally players could alternate roles; Nolan for HBA, Barton for Nolan, HBA for Barton etc.

 

Yeah I get your point, but just look at how Liverpool were so successful back in there awesome 08-09 season were they played there best football with 2 DM's in Alonso and Macheserno/Lucas, with Gerrard acting as the AM and Riera and Benayoun? as the wingers and Torres as the lone man. Worked a treat and that's how the 4231 formation should be played. Tiote and Barton in the DM positions, Barton acting as the ''deep'' playmaker and Tiote as the standard holding DM, with Ben Arfa acting as the AM/free role ''guy'' and Guti and hopefully someone like Gervinho on the wings and a strong CF who can bring others into play.. someone like Ba for example.

 

This is how I see it too Sanchino. Barton is great on the right but I think he is better in the centre spraying his passes forward and to both flanks. Gervinho and Ba are good shouts too.

 

This is what I would like but dropping Nolan would be unfair given his form so you have to alter it slightly to accommodate him IMO.

 

Maybe something like this could work(Including Nolan)

Barton Tiote
Guti Ben Arfa* Nolan*
NEW ST

*Ben Arfa and Nolan would rotate in those positions regularly depending on the situation. IF ONLY NOLAN HAD PACE!!!

 

If Nolan had pace he'd be an excellent striker, I would back him in a one on one against anyone.