the polecat wrote:
WTF did Nolan do on Saturday?
Closed down, tracked back made interceptions. He worked very hard.
So he did the fucking bare minimum a central midfielder should do?

I find it very very hard to judge central midfielders unless they are setting up goals or sitting in front of the back 4 and making last ditch tackle after last ditch tackle.  I might be wrong, but I think that he is one of the poorest footballers from a technical point of view in our squad let alone team (finishing from 6 yards excepted).  He is another body and I am sure his running about did some good.  But how good is he at tackling?  How good at finding space to give others an option?  How good at receiving the ball in a tight spot?  How good at key passes (getting it forward or switching wings, as opposed to 10 yards back or sideways)? 

Sorry, but I thought he was shit and to be honest the only way I think I can be convinced that I am wrong is stats showing that he is one of the best midfielders we have in terms of tackles made, interceptions, miles covered - otherwise, sorry, he's a shit footballer who happens to be able to find the net if played off carroll as a second striker.  You certainly haven't suggested that he did anything other than run around a lot, which is a given as far as I am concerned.