"Time to move on" says Nolan.
The loss of Andy Carroll has knocked me sideways to be honest. I understand he was sold for far more than his real value, but it is still a kick in the teeth.
The problem I have is that it has completely blown my faith and belief in the club, and I know for a fact I'm not alone on that front. Here was a chance to build something for the future, but between Carroll and his agent, the manager, and the board, that looks to be not very high on the list of priorities.
Whoever was to blame for Carroll's exit, and however it could it could have been avoided, is all kind of irrelevant now. Yes it hurts, but we have to move on now and we can't keep on using it as an excuse for abject performances such as the one at Craven Cottage last night.
Still, today our captain has decided to act like a captain again instead of talking his mate into a move away from the club. He has freed himself up from his interview responsibilities for Liverpool TV and has decided to try and rally the troops, again.
“We’re all disappointed Andy’s gone. He’s a massive character. But he wouldn’t have been there last night, and wouldn’t have been there next week," Nolan told The Chronicle. "People move on. This club’s a massive club, and no player is bigger than it."
Nolan continued:
“We don’t know how long Andy’s going to be out for – eight weeks or so – and we’ve just got to put that to bed. He’s gone. We’re all delighted for him on his move, but we’ve just got to get on with it."
“The main thing is we’ve got to do the best we can for Newcastle United. The best for us is making sure we stay in this league, and I firmly believe we’ve got the quality in the squad to do that.”
“At the end of the day we’re paid by the club to do a job," said Nolan. "And we’ve got to step up. The lads have been champing at the bit and shouting that they want to be playing games, so this is the time. They’ve got to take their chance.”
Nolan then went on to talk about the disappointment of losing Carroll:
“We’re all disappointed Andy left, but it’s just one of those things. There was no one more disappointed than me. Not only have we lost a top player, but someone I was very close to.”
Well you see Kevin, you didn't have to sit in your car and tell Carroll what a fantastic opportunity it would be to join Liverpool. You didn't have to tell Liverpool TV how happy you are and how it's such a great signing for them. You could have tried to convince Carroll to stay. You could have said that Newcastle are trying to build something here, and that Carroll could be the focal point of it, but you didn't. Still, I guess it's done now, and whilst I am unhappy with Nolan's words I guess I'll have to grin and bear it.
Nolan is right though, and now we have to move on.
