I'm not so sure...So at the time of writing, Newcastle United club captain Kevin Nolan, is on his way to join freshly relegated West Ham United.
Before this news broke, I was in the process of gathering some statistical analysis for the past season, focusing on our top 5 performers in the Premier League. What I found was quite interesting, even more so, taking into consideration, recent events.
The statistics I have gathered are from the ‘Actim Index’ found on the official Premier League website. The index, and point scoring, along with a brief explanation from myself, is calculated as follows:-
1) Winning performance
Points awarded for time on the pitch in a successful team. More points awarded to individuals if they are on the pitch for a full 90 minutes.
2) Players performance per match
Points awarded for positive actions such as shots, tackles, clearances, saves and passes. Points are deducted for negative actions such as shots off target, misplaced passes, fouls and yellow / red cards.
Fortunately a change in medication meant I slept through a lot of yesterday but it was a bit of a shock to the system to wake up and find that our Captain’s off and a Mount Etna of fan opinion has ensued as a result.
There were rumblings in the French press yesterday – before the Nolan news broke – about Newcastle’s potential interest in Blaise Matuidi, a 24 year-old Angolan-French midfielder who currently plays for Saint-Étienne.
Matuidi is apparently a defensive midfielder and ‘deep-lying playmaker’ who has played all his football in France, first for Troyes and then for Saint-Étienne, scoring 7 goals in 209 appearances. He also has three senior caps for France. (more…)
Joey Barton wants to bring silverware to NUFC.Danny Simpson once talked Joey Barton into joining Twitter, a place to express your daily life in 140 characters or less and has lived up to his outspoken personality in such a public domain, speaking about his frustrations at Newcastle with the hierarchy and, of course, the wonderful fans.
Today after talks of Kevin Nolan being at West Ham for a medical, Joey Barton responded in typical Joey Barton style, mentioning their friendship and stating in (hopefully) tongue and cheek fashion that he was to be sold along with José Enrique and Jonas Gutierrez. Of course, Enrique was punished for stating he would not make the team due to an injury so if there’s truth to what he said, he could end up being in big trouble with the club.
Talking to Sky Sports earlier, Joey reiterated his passion for the club and his desire to stay:
“I love the football club, without a shadow of a doubt, and I think everyone knows that, I have a great working relationship with the manager and a lot of the other players, obviously the other senior players who have been through the ups and downs – the likes of myself, Kevin Nolan, Stevie Harper and Smudger.” (more…)
Has the funky chicken danced his last dance for us?Kevin Nolan has done a lot for this club since arriving here in January 2009 and, with Chris Hughton, managed to build the best team spirit this club has seen since the days of Sir Bobby but it looks as though this transfer window is to be the end of his captaincy.
Sky Sports, Twitter and countless other websites are reporting that Kevin Nolan is currently in London having a medical for the Hammers and that is dire, dire news if true. My usual optimism has been completely depleted as I’ve watched the betting odds being slashed over the past hour to a mind boggling 1/4 at my last check. Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, José Enrique – where is it going to end? Jonas, Coloccini – how many other first team players can we sell?
The irony is that Pardew has been talking about Champions League football and that is where our ambitions should lie. His reasoning for European competition? Keeping our best players. (more…)
Future unknownAllegedly the new contract that Newcastle United offered to Kevin Nolan was only due to be activated at the end of next season and then only if the club finished in the top 7 in the Premier League.
The Mirror is attempting to shed some light on Kevin Nolan’s contract situation, although whether that’s the light of truth or some light of their own invention is open to interpretation as no official sources are quoted at all.
Allegedly the contract Nolan was offered was not due to be activated until the end of next season and would only be viable if Newcastle secure a top seven finish. The contract apparently included a bonus and a £10k/week rise although that, like the contract itself, would only be activated if the team finish in the top seven.
But Nolan didn’t fancy the look of that sort of contract and rejected it.
I can’t say I blame Nolan to be honest. Unless every player’s contract is dependent on a top seven finish it hardly seems fair to single Nolan out as he can’t get the club into the top seven on his own. (more…)
