Is there really any rush for Nolan's new deal?

It's been said that Kevin Nolan's representatives have rejected a proposed new contract from Newcastle as the terms on offer fell short of what the player would expect.

The details of the deal on offer are not available to the public, obviously, but it's pretty obvious what has gone on. An improvement may be offered, or an improvement may not be offered. Who knows? I'm willing to bet two things though with the first one being that this is the club playing hardball, again, with the other being that this news will bet met with howls of derision from some fans.

I've noticed that the reported cooling of a new deal for Nolan has attracted the attention of a certain section of the fans who now suggest that failing to keep hold of him over the summer would represent a failure on the part of the club. I mean didn't it start out as just keeping hold of our players who are entering the last year of their deals, like Joey Barton and Jose Enrique? So where has Nolan come into all this?

The fact is that their is no rush to offer Nolan a new contract. He still has over two years to run on his current deal so there is plenty of time for things to change. It's not of paramount importance.

Yes Nolan is our Captain and he is no doubt a very influential player when it comes to the dressing room, but he is hardly a world beater is he? I mean don't get me wrong, he has scored some important goals for us and those four goals this season against the Mackems will ensure that he has a place in the heart of the Newcastle faithful for some time to come, but he is not irreplaceable. Far from it in fact.

Kevin Nolan will be 31 by the time his contract expires. Given the fact that he is hardly the most mobile player as it is it's unlikely that will have improved on his speed a couple of years down the line. People say that the games can pass him by now and that sometimes he can be a complete passenger on the pitch, so imagine what it will be like in 2013?

Is it a bad thing that the club are being careful not to tie someone, who may or may not be a spent force in 2013, up at this very moment? I don't think there is anything wrong with that as such, but there needs to be a delicate balancing act from now on.

First Joey Barton and now Kevin Nolan - two influential players, who have both not managed to resolve their respective contract issues? Could this be the end of player power at St James' Park? Both Nolan and Barton have had their say on team matters under Chris Hughton and perhaps Alan Pardew works differently? Who knows?

Makes you think though doesn't it?