Lots of media coverage about Kevin Nolan's departure from West Ham United, here is a player who was given a ridiculously long five year contract on his transfer from Newcastle United, courtesy of Sam Allardyce, sanctioned by the Hammers hierarchy. If 'Nobby' had had a cockney accent and not been directly associated with Sam Allardyce, then it is quite safe to assume he would have gone down as one of West Ham United's best captains, his presence and stabilising powers were omnipresent during his initial tenure as captain. In fact for the first two and a half years he was absolutely phenomenal, both on and off the pitch, sadly his energetic approach began to be exposed as he lost that all important 'yard'. Once that 'beasty' was exposed King Kev went on to become chicken kiev and a side of coleslaw, he became a snarling angry man who realised the top flight game was up. So now that is out of the way, possibly it is time to remember the good times and wish Kev well in the future. He managed to jump the match of the day cameras, without injuring himself, during a goal celebration which they used for a complete season, something Andy Carroll could not have done without sustaining at least a three month lay off as he crashed ' unfortunately and accidentally in to the camera man. As mentioned before, Nobby was always going to be tarred with the same brush as Big Sam, but he put in a shift, apart from the odd xmas red card that is. If Nolan had only been offered a four year contract, instead of a five, he probably would not have left the Toon, it is a bit of a pity, because if last season had been his last at the Boleyn , then he would undoubtedly have received the praise and lauding that he deserved as a player, a professional and as far as we have gathered a thoroughly decent person. This site, among many others, was not slow to criticise Kevin Nolan, but he was one of the few players aspiring youngsters should respect, and one of the very few they should aspire to, and he possibly the only one of the very, very few most players would envy.
Good on you Nobby! - Ed
