Newcastle would rather be winning than classed as 'Entertainers', says Kevin Nolan

24 November 2009 13:29
Newcastle were branded as the 'Entertainers' during Kevin Keegan's first reign as manager during the mid-90s as the Tyneside club won hearts and minds - if not silverware - across the country thanks to flair players such as David Ginola. [LNB]Nowadays, Newcastle have started specialising in clean sheets and narrow victories with Monday's 1-0 win over Preston at Deepdale the fifth time Chris Hughton's to the Championship pacesetters have won by such a margin following relegation from the Premier League. [LNB] Related ArticlesPreston North End 0 Newcastle United 1Nicky Butt: Championship is 'strange' leagueAlan Shearer set to honour Sir Bobby RobsonFans in bid for Newcastle buyoutChampionship tableJon?Guti?ez unmasked as Mike Ashley fanIt was also the ninth time Newcastle have stopped the opposition scoring - a far cry from the days of swashbuckling, attack-obsessed football that Keegan brought in those heady days to St James' Park. [LNB]The class of 2009 might be playing the most eye-catching football but Nolan said he was happy to swap style for substance after scoring the winning goal against a Preston side who had out-played the opponents for much of this week's contest. [LNB]And the 27-year-old Scouser insisted Newcastle supporters like what they are seeing as well despite their reputation for insisting on daring, attacking football home and away. [LNB]"The fans are delighted to see us digging in and having a good proper go," Nolan said. "I think they're enjoying seeing us win ugly because they haven't seen that for a while away from home. [LNB]"Every team we come up against it's not going to be easy - they put on a good performance and we had to win ugly. [LNB]"But I think you saw during those last 15 minutes after we scored the goal it was like a dagger in their heart. [LNB]"They couldn't raise their legs at the end of the game but that's what we tend to do - finish very strong. [LNB]"If we're still in a game going into the final 20 minutes or so then we always think we're going to win." [LNB]Nolan has become a huge hit with Newcastle fans this term following a barren spell last season following his £4.5-million move from Bolton and his goal against Preston sent the 3,500 travelling fans back to Tyneside happy. [LNB]"I just saw the ball coming through and shouted to Marlon Harewood to leave it," Nolan added after his ninth goal of the season sent the Toon Army into raptures. [LNB]"I then just concentrated on getting the ball back across goal and thankfully it went exactly where I wanted it to go. [LNB]"It makes your day when you see the fans celebrating like that." [LNB]Nolan will aim to consolidate Newcastle's two-point advantage over second-placed West Bromwich Albion at the Championship summit when Swansea head to the North-East on Saturday. [LNB]

Source: Telegraph