Captain Kevin Nolan

[Mr P]

...start banging them in...

Two in five in the league for a midfielder isn't a bad start! Agree that his overall play so far has been decidedly average though

[swash]

Maybe his TV appearance tonight will explain his less than stellar performances

[Happyhammer52]

Maybe his TV appearance tonight will explain his less than stellar performances

Eastenders?

[ironworkersgrandson]

i have been thinking about nolan for the past few weeks and was staring to compare him to our last "leader" Lucas Neil. Both players never convinced the fans based on there perfomances but both really seem to join the team together and make 11 individuals into a team

so do u think Nolan is the same influence and Neil ? (i hated neil as a playey) not sure on nolan yet but i think he could be west hams best ever signing

[Juliansleftfoot]

i have been thinking about nolan for the past few weeks and was staring to compare him to our last "leader" Lucas Neil. Both players never convinced the fans based on there perfomances but both really seem to join the team together and make 11 individuals into a team

so do u think Nolan is the same influence and Neil ? (i hated neil as a playey) not sure on nolan yet but i think he could be west hams best ever signing

That's a decent point. Neill always seemed to be on the verge of giving penalties away - and frequently did - and was certainly not spectacular. But when he left the defence completely fell apart.

[Bobby Orangeboom]

That's a decent point. Neill always seemed to be on the verge of giving penalties away - and frequently did - and was certainly not spectacular. But when he left the defence completely fell apart.

I get the feeling that those who are calling for Nolan to be possibly dropped etc haven't played the Game a lot, at all..

[pezza20]

Nolan had a knee operation pre season and didn't start training until the last few weeks of it, I doubt any footballer can get match fit within three weeks based on no pre season training or games, however Sam views his leadership skills on the pitch to outweigh any deficiencies in his fitness. 1 defeat in 7 and 2 goals bares testament to the fact I believe Sam to be right.

[ironworkersgrandson]

i get the feeling that those who are calling for Nolan to be possibly dropped etc haven't played the Game a lot, at all..

exactly !!

[tjr008]

Kevin Nolan is feeling his way into a positon in the West Ham starting 11, whether he's a midfielder or a second attacker.

All the while recovering from knee surgery.

During that time it's clear he's had a positive impact on the dressing room with his personality, and scored two goals in 5 games.

I don't think his role is ever going to be playing the ball around the edge of the box, he's a battering ram, a forceful character, and I wouldn't consider dropping him, for the time being at least.

[Hockley Hammer]

Kevin Nolan is feeling his way into a positon in the West Ham starting 11, whether he's a midfielder or a second attacker.

All the while recovering from knee surgery.

During that time it's clear he's had a positive impact on the dressing room with his personality, and scored two goals in 5 games.

I don't think his role is ever going to be playing the ball around the edge of the box, he's a battering ram, a forceful character, and I wouldn't consider dropping him, for the time being at least.

Yes that is all very well - but what does he actually do

I still can't get my head around the fact that people want to drop the club captain from a side doing quite well because of his fitness when we have three games in seven days - the perfect way to improve your match fitness.

[westham,eggyandchips]

I think he will always chip in with goals and as a captain I dont think he can be faulted thus far. However, I find his all round play to be of a very poor level. The other problem I have is, back in the summer when we were on the verge of signing him I heard a geordie supporter say on radio that he was a "poor mans Lampard" now I cant those words out of my head.

[dapablo]

he was a "poor mans Lampard" now I cant those words out of my head.

Shouldn't you be applauding then, Lampard is a great player so a second division team geting second best is good not bad.

[steveyrockstar]

scott parker was slagged off/doubted by quite a few when he first joined.

Remember that 'worst Eggy signing' poll...?

[Tyneside]

He had his op in late April iirc, so I don't think fitness is an issue now.

[cockney farmer]

Will score today

[Mad Professor]

Make Pezza spot on!

[Paolo Futre]

I get the feeling that those who are calling for Nolan to be possibly dropped etc haven't played the Game a lot, at all..

Nailed on.

[Cuenca 'ammer]

Would like to see him operate a bit more like Tim Cahill....

[Yea Why Not]

Captaincy aside, another poor performance from Nolan today. He failed to support Cole well enough and ending up playing a holding role for the last 30 minutes or so. I'm starting to think his place in the side is secured no matter how he performs...

[West Ham Matt]

I agree, those that slag Nolan dont understand the game properly. You need people on thr pitch who have a positive effect on the best players, even if they arent one of the best themselves.