Where would we be without Nolan's goals?

After reading another thread (that 'player of the season' one) I wondered just where we'd be without Nolan's goals, so I took the time to figure it out.

Here's a list of all the games minus goals scored by Nolan. Those coloured in orange are games where we would have drawn without Nolan's goal(s), and those coloured in red are games which we would have lost.

Vs Aston Villa - 4-0 (W)
Vs Stoke - 0-2 (L)
Vs West Ham - 1-1
Vs Sunderland - 2-1 (W)
Vs Liverpool - 2-1 (W)
Vs West Ham - 4-0 (W)
Vs Sunderland - 1-0
Vs Bolton - 0-1
Vs Wolves - 3-1 (W)

West Ham original score 1-2. Points dropped = 2
Sunderland original score 1-1. Points dropped = 1
Bolton original score 1-1. Points dropped = 1

That's 4 points which are directly influenced by Nolan's scoring. Without them, we would go from:

9th place with 39pts

To

13th place with 35pts and a much crappier goal difference

So, in summary, most of Nolan's 12 goals have simply added to an already secured win (although, in the cases where Nolan scored first, this may have provided the confidence for others to score more, so without those first goals, we could have dropped even more points).

However, Nolan's goals have been the deciding factor in three matches and he has directly gained us 4 points.

Make of that what you will.

 

Hes been terrific for us in the goals department this year
but taking his goals away surely somebody or other team members would have just have to step it up like Best did in the wake of Amy's departure

I suppose we will see during the next 2 games

I think we will miss Nolan quite bad not just his goals but he is the leader of our team and a ****ing good one

 

It's always easy to look at things like this, but you could always look at it the other way round, where we'd be if we hadn't conceded those stupid 90th+ minute goals against the mackems and spurs. A comfortable 7th on 43 points. But never mind! Que sera sera!

Good article though, very good point to make.
Nolan's goals have undoubtedly been vital, as has his leadership! As has Barton's pin point crossing, Amy's big head, and the steel defensive options of Colo, Jose and Tiote.

Nolan's been mostly brilliant, occasionally sloppy and annoyingly slow, but vital to this season nonetheless!

The highest scoring Englishman in the Premier League!

 

2nd highest. Bent has 13 goals.

Nolan has been impressive this season and has proven to be a leader on the pitch.

I still recall a few years ago when Nicky Butt was captain. Nolan was the man shouting to the rest of the team and trying to get them to play.

Butt was simply very quiet and rarely talked to anyone.

 

I think Darren Bent may have scored more than him now, I'm not 100% though.

 

Beat me to it!

 

He's a leader, can create chances and is a creative player. Since he is top scorer, odd on he is more likely to score goals in the future.

Nolan scored the first two goals in the tyne and wear derby at home, and just because others scored on that day, doesn't mean we would have won without Nolan, because the 1st goal or 2 can change anything.

Who ever scores in the goal takes your goals talley higher than the opposition has scored the winning goal, or the equalizer if you have drawn level.

West Ham he scored to equalize
He scored the first two goals in the 5-1 win - So he scored the winning goals really, all the goals that followed were irrelevant.
1-1 vs Sunderland he got us the point.
Bolton.

So i count 6 points, not 4. Nolans first two goals in the 5-1 pushed us on to get more, who knows what would have happened if hadn't scored?

Credit Nolan with 6 points.

Take away 6 points which takes down to 33 points and just above the relegation zone ****ting ourselves.

Nolan has had more effect on the pitch than just his goals, he's also played a big part in our aggression in defense and our sting in attack.

 

BALLS. Forgot Bent scored at the weekend. Right, fine, scrap what I said then haha

bugger...

 

Very good point! Goals change games! Without Nolan's initial goals giving us that confidence, who knows?

 

And ALSO!

Nolan scored against Wolves lol, so that's 7 points!!

 

It's all a case of coulda, woulda, shoulda. Thankfully we've got Nolan to score these goals, but the same could be said about a lot of players. Glad we've got players who step up to the plate and actually care for the team, rather than those overpaid ****ers who we got relegated with.



HWTL

 

I get that (and mentioned it in the article) but this thread is only about what we factually know. Let's forget about what 'could' have happened and so on. Nolan is directly responsible for 4 points. It's likely that he's had influence in more, but we can attribute 4 points directly to his goals.

 

While I agree Nolan has had an effect on everygame he plays in we cant guess the results without him.

He's a great player, but if he didnt come we wouldnt be playing with 10 men. Their would be SOMEBODY in his postion.

That somebody could have been Ben Arfa? Duff? etc etc. If Nolan hadnt come then a number of things would be different and goals would have most certainly come from whomever was give then same position (if we even played the same formation)

Their is no point in guessing what would have happened without Nolan.

 

Anyone going to bet on Nolan finishing top English scorer can see Colo having Bent in his pocket for the 3rd time

 

Fifty quid says your wrong.







Anyone going to bet on Nolan finishing top English scorer can see Colo having Bent in his pocket for the 3rd time

 

Holy Christ... a talking £50 note!!

 

Nah it was a typo

He meant to say Fifty squid say you're wrong.

 

Rep for chappaz! I wanted to do something similar myself but never got round to it, cheers for making the effort.

Can you do the same for Carroll's goals?

Could do the same with assists too, it would lay bare how much our players are contributing.

 

I might make a regular series called "Chappaz' weekly analysis".