Kevin Nolan in line for a more offensive role at NUFC

Apr 23 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

KEVIN Nolan will be handed a more attacking brief in Newcastle United’s critical relegation battle with Portsmouth as Alan Shearer searches for a way to unlock the midfielder’s potential.

The January transfer window signing carved out a reputation as a goal-scoring midfielder at former club Bolton but has found his first goal in a Newcastle shirt hard to come by during a difficult first three months on Tyneside.

A spell disrupted by a three-game ban has seen Nolan participate in one victory since joining the club, the task of halting Newcastle’s decline perhaps even greater than the 26-year-old had anticipated.

But Newcastle United assistant boss Iain Dowie has defended Nolan’s contribution, saying that the midfielder has been asked to rein in his attacking instincts since he joined United.

He believes that Nolan’s work-rate and commitment has been the equal of any of the players since the team of Shearer and Dowie assumed control three weeks ago. He is also a vocal member of the dressing room, and Dowie points to his experience of surviving relegation fights with Bolton as proof of his importance to the club.

Dowie says that Nolan can still make a positive contribution to United’s survival fight – and he could be freed to play a more offensive role if Shearer opts for the 4-3-3 formation that has dominated discussion in the run-up to the Portsmouth match.

The return of Joey Barton would make him another candidate to fill the attacking midfield role, while Jonás Gutiérrez could also be asked to move inside depending on Shearer’s observations in training. But it appears that Nolan has been earmarked for a central role in the remaining five games of a torrid campaign.

“Kev’s worked tremendously hard – probably worked harder than anyone in the first half of the Spurs game,” Dowie said.