Just three weeks after telling the Sunday Sun he wanted to stay on Tyneside for the rest of his career, a disenchanted Nolan chose to move to West Ham for a guaranteed five-year deal worth in excess of £55,000 a week.
Steve Howey (taking to the Sunday Sun): “Quite simply it is a bad, bad decision from the football club. I say football club because I do not know how much Alan (Pardew) has had to do with it.
“To me, it looks like they have gone above his head.
“Did the manager of Newcastle United want to sell one of his best players? I don’t think he did.
“Did he want to sell Andy Carroll? No he didn’t – although that was a fantastic deal for the club.
“Alan said he wanted to keep Nobby at the football club but now he has gone and you wonder who is next.
“I think he has done a good job at Newcastle and the fans support him, but it makes his job harder to lose a top player.
“I know it happens at football clubs these days, but for me it is an untenable situation if the manager cannot make those sort of decisions.
“To move forward, Newcastle United need to keep their best players.
“First of all they need to stay in the division for a sustained period of time and the only way they can do that is to keep their best players.
“Kevin Nolan has been one of their best players over the last two seasons, yet he has gone.
“Now, unless they have someone who none of us know about up their sleeves (coming in to replace him), I cannot see them spending the money to buy a player of that quality.
“That automatically makes it difficult next year and it puts pressure on the likes of (Yohan) Cabaye straight away.
“I just think it is a poor decision. Newcastle will be struggling to find anyone who can score those kind of goals from the position he plays in.”
Offer To Toon Fans Continues
Due to the amazing response from NU-Mad readers ... we have decided to continue our offer for you to buy "Magpies In Europe" for the amazing price of £5.99. The offer will end July 1st.
A 'THANK YOU' TO FOOTYMAD READERS ...
'MAGPIES IN EUROPE'
FOR £5.99 (inc post)
2010/11 has been NewcastleUtd-Mad's greatest season for page 'hits', and as a thank you to all readers we are giving you the chance (FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY) to purchase "MAGPIES IN EUROPE" for £5.99 (and that includes the postage).
*Normal price is £9.99
OFFER ENDS JULY 1st 2011
Although "Magpies In Europe" will not be launched OFFICIALLY until next season ... if you want a copy it is available NOW from this website ... and ONLY from this website!
FOREWORD BY FAIRS CUP HERO JOHN McNAMEE
Sports Journalist Richie Everson: "At last a book that the fabulous Newcastle United fans can relate to. It's informative, all the facts and figures are there, plus the 120 match reports from all the fixtures ... but it is the articles by the supporters that amazed me.
"I went to many of those games, and this is the only book I can honestly say 'hits the nail on the head'!
"Yes we know the results and the scorers, but some of the facts in this book had me so wrapped up in it I couldn't put it down.
"Was Benny Arentoft cup-tied when he played in the final? Big Wyn and his battle with John McGrath; McFaul scoring a penalty when the crowd had gone home; the trouble in Palermo; it is all amazing stuff.
"I would honestly give this book 10 out of 10."
MAGPIES IN EUROPE
From Antwerp to Zurich
Please include your address in a letter and send a cheque (or postal order) for £5.99 payable to Mr K Fletcher, to:
'MAGPIES IN EUROPE', K Fletcher, 5 Dunelm, Sacriston, Co Durham DH7 6NU.
Or contact: Kevnumad@fsmail.net