Kevin Nolan had one of his best games for Newcastle on Monday night, when he brilliantly set up Danish International, Peter Lovenkrands, for the third and decisive goal.
Kevin Nolan – good game against Middlesbrough
Kevin was also part of Oba Martin’s amazing goal, but it looked like it was the great Mark Viduka back-header that got the ball to Oba, who then brilliantly rounded one player before putting it expertly into the net. His most vital goal ever for Newcastle United – and he knew it! It was Oba’s 8th goal of the season.
If you watch the video replay of the goal – watch the Gallowgate end crowd all rise to their feet before the goal, and then go wild when it went in – you talk about anticipation – it’s a sight to behold.
And of course after the goal Damien Duff almost shoves his manager, Alan Shearer, to the ground. 😀
Alan Shearer has today praised Kevin Nolan’s contribution to the side on Monday, after he had dropped the player, for the home game against Portsmouth. It shows you what this lad is made of – guts and glory.
Alan said today:
“I left Kevin Nolan out of the side a couple of weeks ago, but it is a measure of the man that we have got exactly the sort of reaction a manager wants from a player.”
“He was obviously disappointed to have been left out, but he is a tremendous professional and I knew that, by leaving him out, I would get a reaction.”
“I thought he was one of our star players on Monday night.”
We’ve also noticed that Alan has dropped Ryan Taylor, and the Liverpool lad wasn’t even on the bench on Monday night.
But don’t be surprised if Alan uses him in one of the last two games of the season, and we look for a similar response from Ryan. Maybe he can even score his first goal for Newcastle, before the end of the season. Converting a free kick would be nice.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
Toon Graeme
May 13, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Comment #1Ryan Taylor our own Ronaldo on the free kick – what I can imagine cant I?
Was it a case of he always scored against us from a free kick as he was good or was it because Given didnt stop them going in?! Just a thought and not a dig a given.
Have we seen the best of Ryan T yet?? Jury is still out.
Toon Graeme
May 13, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Comment #2Oh aye – Nolan put in a good shift – nice job son.
korn8
May 13, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Comment #3he was not the player most fans wanted, but i think he can turn out to be a good signing. The same thing with R.Taylor, overall solid players, but we desperately need some players with that little extra. I think both Martins and Viduka showed us what they can do at their best.
Do L. Robert have a little brother? 😉
cicero
May 13, 2009 at 1:50 PM
Comment #4Ryan Taylor is a squad player and typical of what we’ve been buying over the past 4 years. We need to reverse the trend of bringing in workmen and over-the-hill stars following the departure of Sir Bobby. We need to bring in some class especially in the middle of the park where we are lacking in imagination and guile.
Ashley Hole
May 13, 2009 at 2:24 PM
Comment #5Nolan also blocked Taylors mark man in that 1-1 corner
Little Willie
May 13, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Comment #6I don’t have a problem with the signing of Ryan Taylor at all, we need cover in our fullback positions so went out and signed him to cover Beye.
I’m not sure what sort of player people were expecting us to sign as a back up fullback, he’s a squad player at the end of the day.
stevep
May 13, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Comment #7@Ashley – good to see that Shearer is picking up tricks and set pieces from teams that use them against us – Nolan block was exactly what Liverpool did against uis at freekicks/ corners
Can’t see Ryan Taylor coming good, as someones already said, he’s nothing more than a squad player unfortunately.
AndyT
May 13, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Comment #8i doubt Ryan Taylor will ever prove to be an amazing right back, but I suppose there is still time left for him.
Nolan did put in a decent shift for us on Monday, but he’s definitely not our answer for central midfield by any stretch of the imagination. Not enough pace, and simply not creative enough.
Marty-Toon
May 13, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Comment #9His Workrate along side Guthrie and Butt was excellent……..
He had a great game and stopped many of their attacks.
If we can stay up he will be an important player next season
JP...from The Rock
May 13, 2009 at 7:02 PM
Comment #10Neither R Taylor nor Kevin Nolan are starters, but they make great squad players. Nolan made the killer pass we have been lacking for years. Ryan Taylor is a squad player at best. His free kicks are a threat to opposing teams but he still hasn’t managed to pull it off for us. Defensively he is rather poor. I would prefer Beye or Steven Taylor there every time.
Ps. I think Steven Taylor should be our RB and Beye should move to the centre and form a great partnership with Bassong as the two are unbeatable. The times we have played this way our defense has looked really good, calm and collective.
JP...from The Rock
May 13, 2009 at 7:05 PM
Comment #11I also like to add that I cannot hide my relief and joy at seeing us brush Middlesbrough to one side. We played brilliantly and I hope this is when we carry on winning and prepare for footy in the premier league next year (with Shearer!). I forgot what the winning feeling felt like 😛
Howay the lads!!
Tom_Toon
May 16, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Comment #12####