Nolan and Carroll issue rallying call.
Posted on January 25th, 2010 | 27 Comments |
Both lads are understandably annoyed with being eliminated from the FA Cup on Saturday, but are determined that it won’t affect The Toon’s promotion push and are seeking to use the defeat as a springboard to pick up the teams league form. Scouse Nolan said:
“Going out (of the cup) is a blow, but we can only look to our next game.”
“The fans were great at West Brom and that can only drive us on, as can this result.”
“We are still top of the league and we’ve got to finish off the job. This can inspire us to do that. We’re going for it.”
With the injury to Shola Ameobi, the onus could now be on Andy Carroll to help score the goals to keep us top of the league. His 2 goals on Saturday were excellent, and could be just the confidence boost the Gateshead born hitman has needed. Speaking of ending his 3 month goal drought, Carroll said:
“I just need to keep playing games, stay fit and I’ll score goals for this team.”
“If you are playing week in, week out, you can score goals.”
“I hadn’t scored for a while – it’s my first since November.”
“I have been disappointed with myself, but I’ve been playing well in training and scoring goals there.”
“I got my chance and took it. I’m unhappy to lose, but on a personal note glad to be back on the scoresheet.”
I’m glad to hear a bit of selfishness in there, it’s something all strikers need a element of on the pitch! I just hope his off field antics and general radgieness are firmly in his history and he can now concentrate on improving his game and start hitting the back of the net on a more regular basis. Looking forward, Carroll added;
“Achieving our main aim is still looking good – we want to be back in the Premier League. All the lads can focus on that.”
“We’re not happy to be out of the cup, but there are no other distractions now. We’re raring to go for Crystal Palace.”
Sound words from both of them, but I can’t help thinking thats it’s just more drum-banging form the players, the same sort we had last season when the players came out before every game to say things like “we’re up for it” and “we owe this to the fans” only to give a lack-lustre display. I don’t think many fans can say that current set of players aren’t determined and they seem to have a team spirit this season that was lacking in last season’s doomed campaign. Whether relegation has spurred the players on to do well for the club, or if it’s for the benefit of their own bruised ego’s – who knows? As long as it gets us promotion I don’t really care either!
Still, we can’t change the past and that’s where our relegation is now. I guess the proof of the pudding is in the eating so to speak, so lets see if the team can match these words with a performance on the pitch that will inject a bit of optimism back into the fans, even if it’s only temporary. West Brom are away at Ipswich and Forest are at home to QPR on Tuesday evening, so the fans and the team will know where we stand come kick-off on Wednesday.
Here’s hoping for 3 points, and getting another one over Neil Warnock – The guy everyone loves to hate!
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
we should beat palace at home but i have a bad feeling ambrose could haunt us, wouldn’t mind having him on the right of midfield now.