A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how I feel Tim Cahill is under appreciated in terms of teams not lining up his signature, but he’s not the only one as I also feel the same way about Kevin Nolan who has recently pledged his allegiance to Championship new boys West Ham United. There appears to have been or be no shocking outcry over his departure from a team looking to build a side capable of challenging for trophies next season and beyond despite him being arguably Newcastle United’s most potent player since his move from Bolton Wanderers in early 2009.
This apparent lack of recognition has come from both sides of the situation because whereas Cahill is worshipped by the Everton faithful, it seems that, judging by the fans’ reactions to the parting of ways between Nolan and Newcastle, it doesn’t apply so much to he who has been such a pivotal player for the black and white’s from Tyneside.
Many Newcastle supporters, from what I have read on message boards including this very site, are happy that he is gone as they feel that the £4million that is believed to have been generated from his sale can be spent on new players.
But will these new players be as effective as Nolan? ‘‘Going forward’’ is the motto and mantra: Really?! Selling your captain, a midfielder who was your top and second top-scorer in the previous and penultimate season’s respectively, a player who has been the heartbeat of the side on and off the pitch and who has only just turned 29 for what is a pittance in today’s extortionate football prices is the way forward for progressing is it? Getting rid of one of your best players? Alan Pardew and the board turned down Nolan’s request for a five-year contract as they feel that he will not be at the top of his game around the period in which it would expire, but come on Alan, how many players ever see out the full contract? I think it was pretty foolish of him and the men at the top to turn down their then captain’s request because, as someone who has contributed more than most to the club’s high’s of the past two season’s, he deserved another deal, which would have had both him and the club come out of it as winners: Nolan would have had a five year contract, give a few more season’s good service (he’s not going to lose his form anytime soon) and whether he serves the club with distinction for the duration of the contract, Newcastle would either get an effective footballer out of it or, if it turned out his talent did suffer, get some money for him, which they may not have done should he have gained something like a two or three year contract. Everyone involved would have been a winner in that scenario. In fact, they may have received around the same fee in a few years time to what they sold him for last month had the Liverpudlian played a part in their future fortunes.
The sale of Andy Carroll was understandable because, despite him being one of their danger men and one who looks to have a bright future ahead of him, a fee of £35million (a record transfer between two British clubs) for a player with only a handful of top-flight games under his belt is good business and is surely enough to build a team around with the purchase of players to cover most areas of the pitch.
With wise investment, even in today’s market, a good assortment of players can be bought, but is it really worth cashing in on Nolan who has essentially been the life and soul of the Magpies since his move from Bolton over two years ago, a player whose form will be hard to replicate? Are fans so fed up, tired with a lack of energy obtained from moaning about many of Mike Ashley’s other policies – and rightly so I feel – that they convince themselves that it was the right decision?
Obviously there are thousands of Newcastle followers and I have not been witness to every football blog or radio phone-in regarding the issue of Nolan’s sale, but I didn’t read and/or hear one comment saying that getting rid of the Liverpool-born midfielder was a bad thing for Newcastle United football club on the pitch; but I did see plenty of opinions stating that it was good for business off the pitch. Who knows, it could be Sunderland fans hijacking the premises, but compare this supposed lack of opposition to his sale to the negative reaction that surrounded Ashley’s other decisions such as the furore invoked by the disgraceful sacking of Chris Hughton last December.
All this “five years from now” talk is bollox. You don’t sell your captain and top scorer for a pittance when he’s only 29 if you have half a brain!
And besides, i can’t see Fat Mike keeping ANY player for 5 years if a decent offer comes in. He is running the club like he runs sports direct — buy on the cheap and get a quick profit. The fact he has scouts actively seeking out free transfers with “SELL-ON VALUE” is proof of that.
I suggest you don’t get too attached to the new signings. If they have a decent season they will be sold, simple as that.
We didn’t “let” him leave – he got a better contract from WHU and WANTED to leave. No point in keeping a player who’s heart is not in it.
Hope he does well at West Ham, but not the man I thought he was, as he had half his contract left to go (on a not insubstantial amount of money) and should have honoured the agreement he signed.
Ah well, onward and upward.
Well done Rick. youve managed to read message boards and taken a couple of weeks to formulate an opinion. dont give up your day job
I thought the same thing as soon as I heard about his departure, but it was still bugging me so I wrote about it. My formulated opinion is somewhat proved right going by all the comments here supporting his sale, but I was also referring to the big media points of view such as The Guardian, The Sun, Daily mail etc…who didn’t appear to profess any shock or reservations about his exit.
I would not offer a 5 year deal to a 29 year old either, especially one with no pace already. By the way I am sure the transfer record between two British clubs goes to chelsea and Liverpool for torres.
Yep, you’re right. I should have added ‘…a transfer record between two British teams for a British player.’
Nolan shone in the championship but struggled in the Premier league although his goals record from midfield spoke for itself..However, when Carroll left Nolans goals dried up (not Nolans fault) and he dissapeared in a season he should have relished. I can honestly count the number of great games he had both home and away on one hand, main critism of him is he was just too slow. I also believe Kevin rushed out the door far too quickly (two years left on contract and club captain) I wish Kevin all the best at West Ham Utd and believe the deal made sense for all parties. Word of warning for West Ham though, a five year deal was over generous to a player i dont see playing in three seasons time..Keiron Dyer anyone!