Source: Northern_Echo
Nolan backing kids to shine
KEVIN NOLAN is part of a Newcastle engine room packed with experience. But the midfielder, who made nearly 300 appearances for Bolton Wanderers, believes the Magpies diminishing resources will offer the clubs youngsters a chance to shine this season.
Tim Kruls man-of-thematch performance at West Brom was a reminder that none of the established members of Chris Hughtons squad can take their places for granted.
Andy Carrolls graduation to the first team offers hope to the likes of Nile Ranger and Kazenga LuaLua, and Nolan believes the clubs rising stars have brought some welcome optimism to St James Park.
The kids are going to be really important, said the 27-year-old. We want to do a bit of transfer dealing and it would be good to get a couple of new faces in. That is a big, big thing for us. We need more players, the squad is too small.
But we do have a group of very good kids around us.
Having said that, we cant just throw them in, some would be able to handle it, but we dont want to be ruining young careers.
We want to bring them through at the right time or it can do lasting damage. We want them to be surrounded by senior players so we can help them when they are in the team.
Kruls remarkable league debut has not been sufficient to unseat Steve Harper this afternoon but Nolan admitted he was stunned by the Dutchmans Championship bow.
Tim came in against West Brom with a lot of weight on a young mans shoulders but he proved that he is ready, he said.
He is going to be pushing Steve really hard and Im just delighted for him. He works hard and he has a real swagger.
Hes going to be a really good goalkeeper.
I like his confidence and full marks to the lad, he was fantastic for us. He has been outstanding in training.
Nolan, who has backed Gateshead-born Carroll to spearhead Newcastles goal threat, added: I think with a run of games hes going to score goals. Hes a handful.
Hopefully hell get that run. I think he knows this is his time and hes got to work his socks off this year to make sure he produces.
Nobodys going to make it easy. Hes at that age now where he needs to play games. I think Andys going to be able to handle it.
