Newcastle 1 Bolton 1:AFTER ALAN Pardew announced he would not be fining Ryan Taylor for the impetuous two-footed tackle on Johan Elmander, which prompted a red card, Kevin Nolan had warm words for Newcastle United's owner and managing director.
“I hope and I think that Mike (Ashley) and Derek (Llambias) are in it for the long haul here,” said Nolan. “We’re all working together to get Newcastle back where it belongs. It’s going to be bit by bit and we can’t get carried away but it will be nice when they get us back. They can sit and smile knowing they’ve worked so hard.”
If the replacement of the team’s popular former manager, Chris Hughton, with Pardew and Andy Carroll’s €40 million sale have not been forgotten, Newcastle’s politically influential captain seems happy to pardon the board for such perceived sins.
“All we’ve asked for is a bit of stability and giving lads new contracts when they deserve it,” said Nolan, whose header from Cheik Tiote’s cross opened the scoring against his old club.
The midfielder was suitably satisfied with Ashley’s decision to protect a key investment by granting Tiote a lengthy contract extension last week. No matter that the Ivorian’s mistake permitted Elmander to create Daniel Sturridge’s equaliser, Newcastle need their enforcer.
Sturridge dreams about being similarly integral to Chelsea. His fourth goal in four games since leaving Stamford Bridge on loan suggest that is realistic.
“Daniel’s a natural finisher but he’s much more than that, he’s such a natural footballer,” said Coyle. “When Daniel gets the ball, fans get excited; you realise something special could happen.”
Until recently few Newcastle supporters could have said the same about Leon Best but here he rivalled Sturridge as the game’s outstanding individual.
Since stepping into Carroll’s boots Best’s awareness, anticipation and movement have sharpened appreciably.
Guardian Service
