West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has branded his captain Kevin Nolan ” irresponsible ” following the midfielders sending off in the New Years Day defeat at Fulham.
Nolan was sent off in first half injury time, after lashing out at Fernando Amorebieta in a hotly contested London derby.
Allardyce says the 32-year-old can have no excuses for his poor discipline.
“Our captain was irresponsible. Not just today but for the future because he is suspended,” said Allardyce.
“He’s let everyone down and himself. I just don’t quite understand where he’s lost his cool and why it’s happened.
“I know their centre-half fouled him, and I also know that [referee] Mark Clattenburg didn’t give a free kick and he should have done.
“But it’s still not an excuse for what Kevin did, and he ends up getting himself sent off.”
Nolan had only just returned from a ben following his sending off at Liverpool, and Allardyce also stated….
“Kevin is an experienced player and I’m surprised because he had a silly challenge at Liverpool,” Allardyce added.
“That’s two in the space of the month now. It’s not something I will allow to happen.
“We have to rally round now. We only have a few players to select from so losing Kevin and Mark Noble injured is a massive blow.”
Midfielder Noble went down clutching his leg in the 32nd minute against Fulham and was replaced by Razvan Rat.
Nolan’s sending off is another blow to the Hammers survival hopes, with the likes of Andy Carroll, James Tomkins and James Collins all out with long term injurues.
The Hammers are still embroiled in a relegation dog fight following the 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottege, with Sam Allardyce’s future uncertain.
By Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
