what do you think?

[karsten_finkle]

ok, i've been talking with a few mates as to what we need and where we go from here and the one thing that keeps popping up is the need for a vocal central midfielder, a leader if you will.

obviously, this has also been an area of debate on this message board as well as many others so i was interested to hear some opinions on a candidate that i feel would fit.

and that candidate is...... kevin nolan.

i feel he would fit for several reasons...

1. he's certainly a leader - very vocal and has been head and shoulders above his team-mates for the last few seasons.
2. he's aggressive - never afraid to put in a challenge.
3. he's committed - he always gives 110% in every game he plays.
4. he's young and he's english - meaning that he has a desire to break into the engand squad and would relish the opportunity to raise his game at a club that would put him more in the spotlight.
5. he scores goals.
6. a cheeky £6m bid would probably get him in january.

obviously, these are just my opinions and so i'd be interested to hear yours...

 

[JustinSane]

I've certainly heard worse suggestions. However I have a sneaking suspicion that JR is grooming the Fresh Prince for that role.

 

[jambo]

For me would be an excellent signing but with ramos in charge now and having had the time to assess the squad he would have identified players that he wants, which I dont think would include Nolan.

I would like to see Gareth Barry join the club because he has the defensive qualities from playing left back with Villa and we have all seen in recent England matches how good a midfielder he is. With his simple passing and workrate if we could bring someone really creative in alongside him we wouldnt go far wrong.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Great idea!


It's just a shame that Nolan is complete shite and much, MUCH worse than Jenas or Zokora or Huddlestone or Tainio or Boateng etc.

 

[ghetto_spur]

Great idea!


It's just a shame that Nolan is complete shite and much, MUCH worse than Jenas or Zokora or Huddlestone or Tainio or Boateng etc.

Steady on mate, you obviously haven't seen the steaming pile of manure Jenas has been nurturing the last couple of weeks.

And that's coming from someone that was -until this season - a huge Jenas fan.

I'd welcome the bite into our midfield, even if it was just a short term soloution.

I do think Tainio - given a proper run in the side - could do this job for us admirably if not better, he just needs a run in the middle.

 

[joey55]

I think Nolan has all the right attributes bar one - quality. In many respects he is everything we need and I can undersatnd why you'd suggest him, but at the end of the day I don't think he is a good enough technical footballer. For the same money we can sign Appiah. He is definitely available and has everything we need. Can get up and down the pitch, is agressive but technically sound and will both score and create goal. He is also Captain of Ghana so has leadership skills.

 

[Shanks]

Nolan is like a little teams Gerrard I guess.

I do believe the prince will fill that role though and do a better job, I like what I've seen, and better improvement on the Hudd in my humble opinion too.

 

[striebs]

For me would be an excellent signing but with ramos in charge now and having had the time to assess the squad he would have identified players that he wants, which I dont think would include Nolan.

I would like to see Gareth Barry join the club because he has the defensive qualities from playing left back with Villa and we have all seen in recent England matches how good a midfielder he is. With his simple passing and workrate if we could bring someone really creative in alongside him we wouldnt go far wrong.

Got any good ideas for how to prise him away from Villa ?

I'd have thought it would take all of the Berbatov money if player and club could be persuaded .

If our club were serious about top 4 then they'd do it , got a feeling they will try and groom Kaboule for the job though .

 

[orkneyspur]

The 'new' Dave Mackay'

Scott Brown at Celtic.

 

[GKHotspur]

I would've said yes 2 seasons ago but he's been shit for over a year now imo

 

[karsten_finkle]

For me would be an excellent signing but with ramos in charge now and having had the time to assess the squad he would have identified players that he wants, which I dont think would include Nolan.

I would like to see Gareth Barry join the club because he has the defensive qualities from playing left back with Villa and we have all seen in recent England matches how good a midfielder he is. With his simple passing and workrate if we could bring someone really creative in alongside him we wouldnt go far wrong.

a mate of mine suggested barry and, i agree, he would be a fantastic signing as i feel he's in a similar mould to carrick but is more versatile.

but, as someone else said, do you think villa would let him go? and, even if they did agree a fee, could you see him agreeing to leave a team where he is captain and the first name on the team sheet?

 

[karsten_finkle]

I think Nolan has all the right attributes bar one - quality. In many respects he is everything we need and I can undersatnd why you'd suggest him, but at the end of the day I don't think he is a good enough technical footballer. For the same money we can sign Appiah. He is definitely available and has everything we need. Can get up and down the pitch, is agressive but technically sound and will both score and create goal. He is also Captain of Ghana so has leadership skills.

yeah, i guess quality is the one question mark but do you not think that, given the right surroundings and coaching, a player can improve/evolve?

 

[karsten_finkle]

Great idea!


It's just a shame that Nolan is complete shite and much, MUCH worse than Jenas or Zokora or Huddlestone or Tainio or Boateng etc.

 

[karsten_finkle]

Nolan is like a little teams Gerrard I guess.

I do believe the prince will fill that role though and do a better job, I like what I've seen, and better improvement on the Hudd in my humble opinion too.

i agree that kpb shows promise, but he's not ready to start every game yet and he'll need someone to play alongside him (as jenas seems unable to step up to the plate)

 

[Kurtzen]

Nolan will follow Sam.

Poulsen & Kallstrom

 

[bas]

True we need a ball winner but why oh why didn't we buy a playmaker like Arteta. I watched him last night and realised how our squad needed a player of his quality - not Darren bent.

 

[Legend10]

For me Nolan is crap and is every bit a player we should steer well clear of.

 

[sloth]

Nolan's not been able to get in the Bolton team this year. His form dropped away, his excuse? He wasn't used to playing 4-4-2, lol. Unless we're going to switch to a Bolton style 4-5-1 I'd suggest Nolan may not be the answer we've been looking for.

 

[joey55]

yeah, i guess quality is the one question mark but do you not think that, given the right surroundings and coaching, a player can improve/evolve?

He's pretty old to be looking at as a work in progress. Also, I'm not convinced of him as a 442 player. He has done well at Bolton in 451, but his form dipped last season and this season when they've played 442. Players with his attitude and committment are great assests for percentage football sides. But in a 442, when the role he is playing is less defined, I'm not sure he has the game. I just think there are better options out there.


Edit: Sloth got there first.

 

[chrissivad]

The 'new' Dave Mackay'

Scott Brown at Celtic.

no!