Source: Northern_Echo
Nolan not counting chickens
THERE might be eight points separating Newcastle United from a place in the play-offs, but Kevin Nolan does not think the Championship's leaders can think about life in the Premier League just yet.[LNB] With 13 matches remaining the Magpies reaffirmed their status as promotion favourites with a comfortable 2-1 victory at Watford, ending a three month wait for an away win.[LNB] Nolan insists there remains plenty of room for slip ups if concentration levels are not maintained.[LNB] We can't afford to look at gaps, said Nolan, after learning Newcastle are six points clear of second place. West Brom are a fantastic side, Forest are a good side. There are a lot of good sides around.[LNB] We have to make sure we are doing at the end of the season what we have done at the start and in the middle.[LNB] We have a tough 13 game period coming up seven away and six at home. We have still got to play Forest away and a few tough sides at home and away, so it is not going to be easy.[LNB] We know whatever the gap, they are going to push us all the way so hopefully we will be ready for the fight and we will win the fight.[LNB] Nolan, fit to play despite nursing a foot problem, was around last season to recognise how a lack of desire and camaraderie among the squad led to relegation.[LNB] Newcastle are a different proposition in the second tier, with the commitment to see the job through at Vicarage Road an indication of just how much things have changed.[LNB] I think we would have buckled last season when Watford came at us, said Nolan. It is not Premier League opposition but there was a lot of character shown and that is probably something we didn't have in abundance last year.[LNB] But having it now has certainly helped us. This year we have stuck together and worked so hard to get where we are.[LNB] Nolan also reserved special praise for the way Andy Carroll, who is now just one shy of Nolan's 12-goal tally for the season, led the line two days after his appearance in court.[LNB] The 21-year-old has been charged with assault for an incident in a city nightclub in December, but that did not distract him from heading in Newcastle's crucial second.[LNB] Nolan said: We have got to support him but he doesn't really need too much support because he has broad shoulders.[LNB] Whatever comes of it, comes of it, but hopefully it will turn out right and he can continue to play football.[LNB] Manager Chris Hughton confirmed that left-back Patrick van Aanholt has returned to Chelsea after his loan expired.[LNB]
