New deal for Nolan?

Newcastle midfielder Kevin Nolan is in talks with the club over a new four year deal, if the Sunday press is to be believed.

Apparently talks are under way between the club and Nolan's representatives over a new deal that will see the Scouse lad contracted to NUFC into the twilight of his career. There are no speculative wage figures in this particular News of the World report, which makes a change I guess.

Nolan is an influential player for us and has managed to grab himself 29 goals since relegation. He may not be as mobile as he once was, but I think that his influence goes beyond what we see on the football pitch. Nolan is one of the key men in the dressing room in my opinion, which is a good thing really as he is our club captain after all.

This alleged new contract will take Nolan to the ripe old age of 32 and will be an improvement in duration on his current deal which only has two years left to run. If true, it will allow Nolan to help in the re-establishment of Newcastle United in the Premier League as the club looks to consolidate it's position in the elite league. For the sceptics, a new deal could also be maximising Nolan's profitablilty for the summer when he will no doubt be sold just before the world is about to end.

Personally I can't argue with him being offered a new deal, if he is to be offered a new deal of course. Not many people can say that he hasn't earned it over the last two seasons so in a sense it's a reward for a job well done. Any new deal will likely be put on hold until our Premier League status is assured.

I know a lot of people say that Nolan 'goes missing' during games, which is true to an extent, but it's also to be expected isn't it? I mean do people expect him to dribble the ball from the halfway line every time or something? What Nolan needs is to be played in a position that allows him to get into those positions where he can be dangerous.

He is a solid player and one that I'm glad we have on our books. Sure his constant calls for fan backing get on my wick, but then as club captain I guess it's his job to try and rally people even if it is a bit like stating the obvious.

We'll have to see whether or not there is any truth in this, but I hope there is. Nolan will continue to get his critics, and hopefully he will continue trying to silence them.