Former West Ham United captain Kevin Nolan has hailed the form of Andy Carroll and James Collins, calling the duo ‘pivotal’ to the Club and the team.
Both Carroll and Collins starred in West Ham’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Monday with the striker causing trouble for the away side’s defence while the Welshman helped the Irons to a first league clean-sheet of the campaign.
The experienced duo could be in line to retain their places in the side on Saturday against West Brom and Nolan, who played with the pair at West Ham just two years ago, feels Collins and Carroll bring a different dimension to the team.
The Notts County manager has praised both of his former teammates for what they offer, describing them as ‘pivotal’ both on and off the pitch.
For me, those two boys are really pivotal in that Club and in that team. When they play, they give a boost not only to the fans, but to the players around them.
Kevin Nolan
“If Andy can stay fit – and he’s a massive part of that team, no matter what anyone says – then he is still the main man there,” Nolan told whufc.com: “I feel with him in the side they are a totally different team.
“I think the same with Ginger Collins, because when Ginge is there they just look more assured at the back and look like they’re going to keep clean sheets. For me, those two boys are really pivotal in that Club and in that team.
“When they play, they give a boost not only to the fans, but to the players around them."
Nolan was an avid viewer of his old side’s win against the Terriers earlier this week and was impressed by what he saw in terms of effort and ability.
And the former skipper reckons West Ham have the ability to kick on and continue to impress after the boost of the win over Huddersfield.
He added; “I watched the Huddersfield game and I saw the lads worked their absolute socks off. I know the first goal was a bit fortunate but sometimes you need that to kick-start the season.
“Hopefully that gave them a bit of a boost and they can start picking up points here and there. I feel West Ham will now get out of what is a bit of a false position.
“Hopefully, they’ve turned the corner now and will keep pushing on.”
