Sam Allardyce’s time in charge of Newcastle wasn’t exactly a great success. Big Sam became Newcastle manager in May 2007 and not much more than six months later he was shown the door at St James’ Park. Allardyce arrived promising to revolutionise fitness levels at Newcastle, but instead was greeted by fan protests by the Toon Army towards the end of his tenure for playing boring, long ball football. Now Sam Allardyce wants to hurt Newcastle again by nabbing the Magpies’ captain, Kevin Nolan.
As Allardyce was making his Newcastle exit, fans were shouting ‘you don’t know what you’re doing’. There could be an argument that’s what people should have said to Big Sam when he took over at West Ham at the start of the month. He appears to have made it his first mission to link up with his old friend Nolan once more. However, the former Bolton midfielder has just enjoyed his most successful season on Tyneside and has well and truly won the fans round after a less than impressive start at the club.
Kevin Nolan was Newcastle’s top scorer in the Premier League last season, as he netted 12 goals – quite a feat for a midfielder. While Nolan might not be the most complete midfielder in the league, he’s often in the right place at the right time and provides plenty of experience and drive in the middle of the park. The 28 year old is now at his peak, and as Newcastle captain has a very important role to play again for Alan Pardew next season.
However, Allardyce is looking to take Nolan to Upton Park and has already bid £3 million for the Liverpudlian, which was duly rejected. It is being reported that Newcastle want £6 million for Nolan, but the question has to be asked, why are they even considering selling him? Nolan is the sort of player that is worth more than you’ll ever get in a transfer fee for him. Even if he is stalling over signing a new contract, his deal doesn’t end any time soon and thus why sell?
Linking up with Allardyce again may look to be attractive for Nolan, but then he’s hardly want to take a step down to the Championship again after only spending one season back in the Premier League. The Newcastle hierarchy should be telling Big Sam to look elsewhere, after all, he’s already done enough damage on Tyneside and a potential swoop for Super Kev would hurt the Magpies even more.
