Kevin Nolan - I owe Hammers.

[hadleighhammer]

Don't you like his success then, thorn in the flesh for some reason ?

lol, I'm asking your opinion not giving one that would be stupid really wouldn't it ?

Where that then? I just see some trolling adding **** all to the discussion as per usual.

because he was northern and an ex player of our current manager.

Utter *****. If he'd put in the effort and played like he is now from the start of the season he would be close to if not my HOTY. He didn't and he was a passenger/non-existent a lot of the time no matter how much people don't want to hear it.

On the flip side I'd say plenty on here defend Nolan's lack of form and effort with any excuse as BFS is the manager and he's his marquee signing.

[prophet:marginal]

On the flip side I'd say plenty on here defend Nolan's lack of form and effort with any excuse as BFS is the manager and he's his marquee signing.

Do you think, though, Hadleigh, that, even with the best will in the world, Sam and Nolan had to realistically work their way into the team? In one respect I can understand the point that your making - TPP makes a similar one - and I accept that you've seen more than your fair share of the games where the team on paper should have beaten its opponents only to end up drawing.

However, on the other hand, the team - or what was left of it once we'd shipped Parker, Upson and a few of the other more experienced older heads - was a bit of a rag-bag of promising academy graduates (who'd been through the nightmare of Grant's stewardship) and bods we couldn't shift on even if we'd tried (Piq and Faubs for starters). It was a bit ground zero in a sense. Is there not some chance that it all took time to bed in and, as much as Nolan has upped his game, they needed to also be more on his wavelength?

[hammer1975]

has had no more unjustified criticism than collison, o'neil, reid or cole this season....

as bubbs rightly implied....all about balance

it took a while to find the right blend but those players all proved they are better than 'championship standard'...the question is whether they are (still) premiership standard....let's hope we can find out next season without those players (and others as I'm expecting tomkins to get downgraded to 'champ' standard by some informed posters when he makes a mistake) getting abused after the odd bad game

i for one think that some of our players will actually be more suited to prem football and am excited about potentially seeing the play off team (with wo better full backs) playing in the prem

[Parso]

Nolan will be a big for us next season as he was this season. His a good captain and knows the premiership well so will be great support in the changing rooms for those with less or no premiership experience especially on away days.

He'll score ten plus for us next season.

[harry monk]

I think the main problem with Nolan at the start of the season was, even though they played the first few games together, a lot of people saw him as a direct replacement for Parker. They are a completely different type of player. Nolan is nowhere near as good on the ball but he more than makes up for this with his attitude, commitment and GOALS! I am delighted that he will be leading us out in the Prem next season. DO DO DO DO KEVIN NOLAN!

[Baker's Dozen]

…DO DO DO DO KEVIN NOLAN!

[Pepin]

I personally do like and rate him same as Scottie Parker.

[prophet:marginal]

a lot of people saw him as a direct replacement for Parker. They are a completely different type of player. Nolan is nowhere near as good on the ball but he more than makes up for this with his attitude, commitment and GOALS!

Different they are, for sure, but Nolan's a better striker of the ball imho.

[Czech Hammer]

.....and better at irritating the opposition, and does a better chicken impression

[Chicken Run Supreme]

.....and better at irritating the opposition, and does a better chicken impression

Probably the best chicken impression since Norman Collier.

[Hockley Hammer]

DO DO DO DO KEVIN NOLAN!

Sang in a Frank Sinatra style?

[west ham15]

I personally do like and rate him same as Scottie Parker.

Both have the same leadership but Kev scores more goals

[Lincolnhammer92]

Nolan is a better footballer than Parker. Lets face it, the less responsibility Scott has, the better. He's at his best when told to tackle and pass straight away, and not allowed in the opposition half.

[bristolhammerfc]

How much value due you put on team set up though?

Carlton's been great since we became more aggressive and provided him with a lot of support and some decent delivery. Switch back 8 weeks and "he wasn't good enough for the Championship."

I argued this from the beginning of the debate on Nolan. The formation and personnel that the manager used left him exposed to criticism. I remember saying months ago that he was being asked to play a role in a 4-4-2 that he couldn't do due to the lack of pace and versatility in the team. It wasn't his fault but his overall contribution in terms of putting in the effort fell way short.

The change was a fit Gary O'Neil and the signing of Vaz Te playing behind the lone striker, filling that gap that Nolan doesn't have the pace to fill.

I think he will struggle next season. I think Pardew recognised that and sadly I don't think Sam will until Nolan has suffered at the hands of both the press and the supporters.

[bristolhammerfc]

Nolan is a better footballer than Parker. Lets face it, the less responsibility Scott has, the better. He's at his best when told to tackle and pass straight away, and not allowed in the opposition half.

Ridiculous. They play in two different positions.

[Yea Why Not]

Nolan is a better footballer than Parker. Lets face it, the less responsibility Scott has, the better. He's at his best when told to tackle and pass straight away, and not allowed in the opposition half.

Nigel De Jong is soooo much better than Frank Lampard

[whufcspoon]

I'm highly rate Nolan and believe he has been a great asset to the club this season. I remember when I was sat near the front at Barnsley away and when he scored the first you could see the passion in his eyes after he scored! *Chicken dance*

[Parso]

You can't compare Parker and Nolan. Granted their both midfielders but they have completely different roles.

Parker and Nolan together would be interesting, with Noble floating around .... come back Parker!!!!!!

[ham34mer]

I really rate Captain Kev.

Works hard, inspires team mates, scores goals, gets forward & makes defenders work hard to track him, niggles the opposition.

So glad he rode out the early criticism (rightly levelled at what was an under performing "marquee signing") and found form towards the end of the season. He is passionate about our club & my respect has increased (for both him & Carlton Cole) following their clear delight at getting promoted and the way they are committing their futures to us.

Next season will be a true test of class & quality for the whole squad. I pray we do ourselves justice