Pardew praises Nolan for tactical challenges

Mar 20 2011 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

NEWCASTLE United boss Alan Pardew has praised “opinionated” Kevin Nolan for giving him a different spin on Toon’s tactics on a weekly basis.

United’s skipper and manager have built a close working relationship since Pardew took over in December and hold regular meetings to mull over the previous weekend’s game.

Eleven-goal Nolan is never shy about coming forward, but Pardew wouldn’t have it any other way – and reckons listening to his senior players plays a key part in his managerial approach.

While the United boss is able to analyse from the touchline, he knows that knowledgeable Nolan provides a player’s perspective on Saturday’s successes or failures.

And he is also open to the likes of Joey Barton and even youngster Shane Ferguson bending his ear on team matters. “I think of captains I have come across and he’s right up there in terms of leading by example and saying the right things and trying to see the manager’s opinion of the games,” he told the Sunday Sun.

“He has a couple of opinions that he shares with me about the game coming up and I take them on board as well.

“When you look at something, depending on where you’re standing it can look different.

“If you’re standing on the pitch it can look slightly different and if you’re the manager you’ve got to understand that.

“If you get good information back you’ve got to use it – and I do get good information from Kev.”

Aware that their were rumblings about senior players holding too much power, Pardew is relaxed with the number of strong personalities he has in his squad.

“If you go into any Premier League ground you’ll find strong personalities – you don’t get to be a Premier League player unless you have a lot of personal qualities in terms of character and opinions. Look at Eric Cantona.

“You have to make sure you draw the line right between taking on board opinions and making your own decisions. You listen to the feedback but ultimately, whether I agree with Kevin, Joey or young Ferguson you have make your own decision. But you must listen – it’s foremost in all manager’s jobs in my opinion.”

Unsurprisingly given Pardew’s high opinion of him, Nolan will continue to skipper United next term.

“Of course Kevin will be captain next season. It had never crossed my mind to change it,” he said.