Fan blogger Adam May looks back at Kevin Nolan's four years with the Club...
Kevin Nolan’s impact at West Ham has often been overlooked, but his commitment is undoubted. As he left the club by mutual consent earlier today, he departs having helped the Hammers return to the Premier League and in doing so cement themselves as a stable team ahead of next year’s new Stadium move.
While his impact in the last couple of seasons has been beyond Nolan’s best – he will probably be the first to admit that – his impact in the Irons' promotion-winning side was crucial. Influential. Vital.
He led from the front and captained the side to that Play-Off final victory against Blackpool at Wembley. His performances were top-draw throughout the season, whether that be playing as a false-nine or providing Ricardo Vaz Tê or Carlton Cole with excellent service. He was the Hammers’ leading scorer for two consecutive campaigns in 2012/13 and 2013/14. That impact cannot, and should not, go underestimated or indeed underappreciated.
Last year was a disappointment – just one goal to his name in 33 appearances in all competitions is not what one would expect from the experienced midfielder – but he remained an important figure to have in the dressing room.
Even with his quality at times waning, it would be justifiable to say that he’s given a helping hand at some stage to the likes of the impressive Aaron Cresswell and Reece Oxford, who looks to be an exciting prospect as a future West Ham regular. To replace that experience costs a lot in today’s market.
While Hammers’ fans didn’t quite get to see him link-up with his former Newcastle team mate, Andy Carroll, as often as was hoped, it proved to be a useful, and at times unstoppable, weapon when both players were fit. For Nolan to net 31 goals in 157 games, considering his advancing years, is a commendable achievement. He wore his heart on his sleeve and always gave honest interviews to the press. Win, lose or draw, he showed he cared about West Ham.
Upton Park should remember Kevin Nolan for all the right reasons – a captain of the club who has played a key role in getting West Ham to where they are today.
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of West Ham United