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dicanioisgod 1:42 Thu Jul 16
Nolan
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Looks like he is starting and captaining the side tonight then!
http://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2015/July/16-July/Video-Birkirkara-clash-excites-Nolan
Kevin Nolan is looking forward to leading West Ham United out into a packed Boleyn Ground for Thursday’s UEFA Europa League visit of Birkirkara.
With Slaven Bilic naming a strong squad, the midfielder is set to captain the Hammers in their second qualifying round first leg clash with the Maltese FA Trophy winners.
With experience of European football from his time at Bolton Wanderers, Nolan is relishing a return to continental competition in Claret and Blue.
“I’m thoroughly looking forward to playing against what is going to be a very good Maltese side who have done very well in the first qualifying round to get through,” Nolan told West Ham TV.
“They aren’t going to be pushovers and we’re going to be playing in front of a big crowd, so fair play to the fans for turning out in their numbers again. We thank them for that and hopefully we can give them a good spectacle.
“These games are coming around thick and fast. Pre-season has been very different to how it was in previous seasons – last year we were in New Zealand and everywhere, but this year it is about being at home and trying to qualify for the Europa League.”
We need to control and dictate the game from start to finish and that’s what we’re planning on doing, but we’ve got to be respectful of the opposition
Kevin Nolan
Nolan led Bolton into European competition in 2005 and 2008, reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup on both occasions.
The 33-year-old knows just how a run in Europe can galvanise a club and says a long and successful UEFA Europa League challenge will only enhance the feelgood factor permeating through east London and beyond.
“It’s going to be different on Thursday but we’ve got our heads around it and done two weeks of training now and played 60 minutes at Peterborough last weekend. The majority of us will play 90 minutes because we can’t make loads of substitutions, so I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.
“It’s a great honour to be playing in Europe for this Club and to be leading them out is a fantastic honour for me, so I’m going to thoroughly enjoy it for the 90 minutes.
“If I can add a goal, a good team performance and a good win, all the better.”
That win will not come easy, though, against a Birkirkara side managed by former Italian midfielder Giovanni Tedesco and led by former Azzurri striker Fabrizio Miccoli.
“This is where you want to pit your wits against the best, in Europe, and that’s why you go through these qualifying rounds,” Nolan added. “It’s not going to be easy, because we know they are going to be really good technically, as a lot of European teams are no matter what level you play.
“We need to control and dictate the game from start to finish and that’s what we’re planning on doing, but we’ve got to be respectful of the opposition.”
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
claret on my shirt
1:48 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Nolan warns Bilic, seems to me that this gives Bilic the opportunity to replace him as Captain
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Eddie B
1:00 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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We need to get rid somehow. Fuck knows who'd take him though.
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Alwaysaniron
9:26 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Byeeeeee Nolan
You've done your bit now do us a favour and seek out a Championship club that might want you.
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jack flash
9:26 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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He obviously wants a move which is fair enough for both parties
If he thinks Bilic is going to play him week in week out as BFS did he is clearly deluded, especially looking at the calibre of players we have signed to play in his old position, plus Poyet coming of age
I think what he said therefore is a bit tongue in cheek
Unlike others, I think he's done a good job for us since he arrived
Last season, was a season too far for him at this level, even though BFS stubbornly kept selecting him, when he was clearly no longer up to the job (not his fault)
Possibly he's looking for a free transfer? I think he would enjoy his game more playing at a lower level now anyway. Good luck to him
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Fluke
8:59 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Maybe he would take a 2 year contract on 25k a week somewhere else, same money
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Hugh Monteith
8:50 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Shut what?
Is there a draft
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Hugh Monteith
8:49 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Shut what?
Is there a draft
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Steve P
8:12 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Ag!
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Willtell
8:11 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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I'm glad Nolan has come out and said that he doesn't want to sit on the bench. He could have kept quiet and seen his contract out but he has said a few times now that he can't do that.
Unfortunately, unless BFS makes a come back I can't see any clubs wanting him unless they buy on reputation. And yes if the club has to pay off his contract so what. Happens all the time.
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IlfordArmy
7:40 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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yeah , SHUT IT P !!!
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Ronald_antly
7:39 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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_antly warns P.
Shut it, P!!
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Steve P
7:14 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Nolan 'warns' Bilic?
Do me a favour?
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Hugh Monteith
5:10 Sat Jul 25
Re: NOLAN
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THanks Kevin.but now is deinately the time from or ajaunt with a first division club.
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Monk~koknee
4:38 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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Arko
Not sure it is a question of 'not fighting for the shirt'. He is not physically capable of playing at the top level and his style suits one style of play only.
I understand players are given long contracts to attract them but it is a questionable practice (from the club's point of view) for those nearing the end of their career,
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Arko
4:30 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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A free transfer is not the problem, West ham will surely grant him a free transfer. It's the wages he will not budge on and quite rightly so.
Which means West Ham will end up paying him off or heavily subsidising his wages so he can join a new club. He doesn't appear to be willing to fight for the shirt at West Ham now that his favourite manager and protector is no longer around...
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Monk~koknee
3:54 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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What he says is quite reasonable but he will have to drop quite a few leagues to get the playing time he is looking for.
Hopefully opening the door for a quick exit.
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claret on my shirt
3:47 Sat Jul 25
Re: Nolan
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http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/593600/Kevin-Nolan-considering-move-away-from-West-Ham-if-he-doesn-t-get-playing-time-under-Bilic
Please please go Nolan!
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After8
10:17 Fri Jul 24
Re: Nolan
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Agreed croe, he did well first two seasons. I'd give him a free transfer.
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whufcroe
10:17 Fri Jul 24
Re: Nolan
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Very, very hot
Was a decent crack again although overdone it Wednesday night. Must remember I'm 43 not 23.
Malta I thought was lovely, would like to go back and have a decent nose around.
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LeroysBoots
10:14 Fri Jul 24
Re: Nolan
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How was the trip roe ?, hot !?!
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whufcroe
10:00 Fri Jul 24
Re: Nolan
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Bloke clearly has ZERO interest in playing for West Ham anymore.
Like with BFS, I would like to thank him for his contribution but it's time we went our separate ways.
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