Why Kevin Nolan deserves an England call up

Why Kevin Nolan deserves an England call-up

Author:  Michael Weightman
Posted on:28 January 2011 - 12:41
Category:Football 
Comments: Be the first to comment

  

Share

The feeling of sporting dejection was at its pinnacle on 2 December 2010 when, Mr FIFA himself, Sepp Blatter revealed that Russia would be the hosts of the World Cup in 2018; despite many feeling that England had the best bid. Questions were asked; Did we do enough? Did we deserve it? Are we being punished for past misdemeanours? Or is it a case that we just did not tick the right boxes?  Panorama investigations aside, the fact that we went out on the first round of voting and practically not even considered as hosts, left a sour taste in the mouth.

Yet, we in this country are guilty of something similar; guilty of dismissing players because of the club they play for, of ignoring form and going with a manager formula normally based on a misplaced allegiance to a few core players. There’s a long standing view in certain parts of the country that areas and clubs are favoured amongst the media and the England selectors, namely the North West and London. It doesn’t take too much head scratching to recall the reluctance to give Kevin Phillips a chance in the England side, despite finishing as Europe’s top goal scorer. Or the fact Joe Cole was constantly picked for the squad despite the fact he has flattered to deceive for years. 

There are many injustices in football and surely one of them is the persistent overlooking of Newcastle United talisman Kevin Nolan for the national side. 

The Facts

With 10 league goals to his name this season, there are only three players who have hit the back of the net more times than Nolan: Berbatov, Tevez and teammate Andy Carroll - and this from a man mainly operating as a central midfielder.

We’ve heard from all quarters what a great buy Rafael Van der Vaart has been and what a fantastic season Samir Nasri is having.  We’ve watched as Nani looks to be finally stepping in to Cristiano Ronaldo’s boots, yet Nolan has proved to be more prolific than the aforementioned three in a newly promoted side.

Of course he does not have the skill of Nasri, the trickery of Nani or the vision on Van der Vaart; but what he offers Newcastle United is invaluable. His heart on sleeve performances and ability to be in the right place at the right time has endeared him to Geordie supporters and he is well and truly repaying that faith. Let’s not forget that this is not a one off season, as there were calls earlier in his career for an England call up when was an integral part of theBolton Wanderers side.

Manager’s Corner

When asked this week for his views on the subject, Newcastle boss Alan Pardew summed up the situation by saying: “Have there been players who are not as good as him who have played for England? Yes there have been. Could he play in the future? Personally, I would really hope that he would get a cap.

When asked if he felt Nolan had been overlooked he added:  “Am I surprised he has not had England recognition before? Probably, but he is 29 and still a young man really and he has still got two or three years left in him.”

Cynics would argue that it’s the manager’s job to endorse their players, but Pardew is still fresh in the Tyneside hot seat and he also paid tribute to Nolan the man: “He is a proper guy for a manager. You couldn’t have a better lieutenant and captain.”

This sentiment has been echoed by fellow managers who have worked with Nolan and with such support; it’s difficult to determine why he is constantly overlooked.

The Competition

One would say it’s fair to assume that a manager has to weigh up whether or not there is a space for a new player in the squad and if he has the ability to enhance the existing group of players. Looking at the current incumbents of the England central midfield position, Gerard aside, it’s difficult to present a case for any of them. Frank Lampardhas endured a miserable season with injury and barely thrived at the World Cup and beyond. Mobility is often a criticism aimed at the Newcastle captain but given Gareth Barry’s standing in the setup and his clear lack of pace, then this argument is somewhat defunct. Furthermore, it’s difficult to find a strength in Barry’s game that Nolan does not possess himself and his versatility over the Manchester City man should make him a serious contender to replace the former Aston Villa captain.

On the flip side, there is a call to take the lessons from our German friends and strip down the squad and rebuild with youth. The performances of Jack Wilshere in the heart of Arsenal’s midfield have had many a fan calling for his inclusion and he does look to be the answer to our technical dilemma. However at the tender age of 19 there’s no rush for the young Gunner and leaving his development in the hands of Arsene Wenger is an emphatically better resolution.

Playing with Carroll

The striker is one of the hottest properties in English football at the moment and he’s already attracting the interests of top European clubs, amazingly only a year after becoming a Newcastle regular. There’s no doubting that the lanky forward has had a positive influence on Nolan and is the focal point of the Newcastle triangle; with Joey Barton supplying the ammunition and Nolan himself often getting on the end of a Carroll knock down. This almost telepathic understanding has been an effective outlet for the Magpies and there’s no reason why this cannot be transferred to the national side. Furthermore the off field influence the Toon captain has had on their young starlet has been priceless and keeping Carroll on the right path could well be a job Nolan could do for both club and country. 

What Next

There’s not a lot more Nolan can do other than keep turning in impressive performances and hitting the back of the net for his club - and the decision now lies firmly at the door of Mr Capello. The Italian said he wanted to shake things up in the England squad and calling up the Scouse ‘lieutenant’ would go a long way to doing just that. Yes, he is not the most fashionable player and is unlikely to take your breath away with a piece of magical skill but his determination and goal scoring ability can be an effective weapon in England’s armoury.

On a side note, it’s probably a further indictment of the game in this country that the most in-form and prolific attacking midfielder is a hark back to the old fashioned professional lacking the continental technicality.

Nevertheless there’s no doubting that Nolan has proved himself as a more than competent player and on current form he simply deserves a chance.

Are Newcastle United a selling club?

It was Philip Larkin who once wrote that a miss was ‘as bad as a mile’ – whether it be an apple core rebounding off the rim of the bin or the millisecond that cost you the race, the outcome would be the same as if the apple core had hit the person in the next classroom or if you had lost the race by a millennium.

These so near but yet so far moments are the reasons we love the beautiful game and the miniscule margins of error are what separates the greats from the rest. There is one club in particular it seems are always teetering on the edge of both brilliance and insanity, without ever managing to get in the bin themselves. 

Newcastle United have self destructed more times than a year 7 chemistry lesson during their history, but have also come so close to actually making it. The glory years in the Premier League were however built around their ability to open the cheque book; a luxury ill afforded under Mike Ashley and this is why they are once again becoming a selling club. 

Selling History

The Magpies have throughout the years had a habit of selling their better players; Gordon Lee outraged fans when he sold Malcolm McDonald in his first few weeks as manager. Kevin Keegan faced a similar backlash years later when he allowed Andy Cole to leave for Manchester United.  In the 1980s they has three of the most exciting English players on their books in the shape of Waddle, Gascoigne and Beardsley- yet instead on building a team around the trio each was sold as the board chose profit over potential. Mike Ashley looks to be of a similar mould and is held in the same esteem as his previous post holders.

Further Departures

Worryingly for Toon fans Andy Carroll may not be the only big name on his way out of St James, as the top draw performances of Jose Enrique and Cheick Tiote have attracted the attention of some of the so called bigger boys.

Enrique has only 18 months left on his current deal, and although he has already stated he is happy on Tyneside( haven’t we heard that before) and is adored by the Geordie faithful, the Spaniard has refused to negotiate a new deal until Newcastle’s Premier league future is decided. 

Tiote on the other hand has ample time left on his deal, but his wonder goal against Arsenal has seen him linked with a move to Old Trafford with even Alan Pardew admitting it may be difficult to hold onto the Ivorian, saying:

“I am hoping there are no bids, otherwise we will have a problem. 

"Tiote is a very important player, very talented and someone we want to be a big part of our future."

Like Enrique, the central midfielder has reiterated his desire to stay on Tyneside- however the decision could well be taken out of his hands if Carrollesque cash is flashed to Ashley- with even Pardew seemingly conceding the fact:

"Ideally, you would like to keep someone like Andy Carroll, a young player who is from the area, but financially we could not keep him. “

“But we like to think, certainly I have that ambition, that in two or three years' time, if we can sustain our status and keep getting the TV money invested wisely, that we can hold off that next bid which might be for Cheick in 18 months' time or so.”

"We have to get ourselves in a position to do that because at the moment we're not and we have to accept that."

Arsenal Structure

The owner has been specific on what he sees as the long term strategy of the club- aside from putting the transfer budget on red or black.  

Investment in youth is key to the Ashley era as he works towards the blueprint created by Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal- and who can blame him after years of excess on Tyneside that would have made Robert Maxwell proud. However there must have been some missing pages in the copy attained by the Newcastle owner as even though Wenger sells- he does it with a replacement in mind. 

Henry was allowed to leave as Robin Van Persie was considered a natural successor. Fabregas has shown that Patrick Viera’s departure did not have a detrimental effect on the team and the list goes one; Clichy into replace Cole, Pires brought in for a fraction of the Overmars fee. Granted the Frenchman has made mistakes, not replacing Lehmann and Campbell in recent years highlighting that, but the fact he continually produces and finds top draw players, justifies the sales as the replacements are just as good as the departed.

Paradoxically on Tyneside, Pardew admitted that they didn’t have a replacement lined up if Andy Carroll was sold and so when the big striker made the switch, it left them scrambling around in the bargain bin for 34 year old Shefki Kuqi. Nobody can argue that it was crazy money for Carroll, but to put it bluntly, you can’t play a cheque up front. 

The Future

It does seem that Alan Pardew is in tune with the Ashley way of thinking, and whether this was forced or agreed upon when he took over the role, you can hardly blame a man who began the season managing in League 1. It does make one wonder if Hughton leaving had anything to do with his refusal to acquiesce, but that’s an argument for another day.

The underlying problem is that the current chairman is a business man and in his world money speaks. Andy Carroll was a commodity, rather than an emotional attachment or a symbol of what the club was capable of. Further departures do seem likely and it will be a difficult time for the fans as Ashley’s narcissism looks set to continue to rule and the pound being the only judge. With many sceptical that any of the £35million will be re-invested, it’s not just a question of are Newcastle a selling club, more a case if they’re anything else.