Kevin Nolan talks Adrian, Reece Burke and the need for three points
West Ham United skipper Kevin Nolan says his team can build on the clean sheet they gained at Queens Park Rangers as they tackle the final four games of the campaign.
Nolan is desperate to end the season on a high and says the Hammers can capitalise on a stronger defensive base by taking their chances at the other end.
He also had praise for Adrian and 18-year-old debutant Reece Burke after the pair played a starring role at Loftus Road.
The defensive side of our game probably took the plaudits on Saturday, and Adrian has now saved three penalties on the trot now…
KN: “It’s quality from him. He is that type of keeper and he deserves all the plaudits he’s got. Hopefully his head won’t get any bigger! He’s a great lad and hopefully he keeps his performances to as high a standard as he’s produced for the last year-and-a-half.”
Reece Burke, it was a big test for him on Saturday against Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora, but he stood up to it…
KN: “Unbelievable. You couldn’t ask for a better debut from him, it was absolutely fantastic. He’s a great lad, a really good kid who wants to work hard, listen, wants to play football and believes in himself.
Nolan is desperate to end the season on a high and says the Hammers can capitalise on a stronger defensive base by taking their chances at the other end.
He also had praise for Adrian and 18-year-old debutant Reece Burke after the pair played a starring role at Loftus Road.
The defensive side of our game probably took the plaudits on Saturday, and Adrian has now saved three penalties on the trot now…
KN: “It’s quality from him. He is that type of keeper and he deserves all the plaudits he’s got. Hopefully his head won’t get any bigger! He’s a great lad and hopefully he keeps his performances to as high a standard as he’s produced for the last year-and-a-half.”
Reece Burke, it was a big test for him on Saturday against Charlie Austin and Bobby Zamora, but he stood up to it…
KN: “Unbelievable. You couldn’t ask for a better debut from him, it was absolutely fantastic. He’s a great lad, a really good kid who wants to work hard, listen, wants to play football and believes in himself.
“I thought he was fantastic. It’s never going to be easy against Bobby Z, who has tormented a lot of defenders down the years, even this season, especially away from home. Normally young players get their home debuts before they are tested away, but he’s kept one of the best English strikers this year [Charlie Austin] quiet.
“I’m very pleased for him, it’s a brilliant start and this is the beginning for him. He’s set his standards now and he’s got to keep them there for now until the end of the season, then come back looking to knock Reidy, Ginge and Tonks out of the way.”
Kevin, putting Saturday’s game in isolation, QPR are desperate for a win but we were resolute and could possibly have nicked it…
KN: “Of course. It’s getting down to the crunch end of the season and they’re battling for every point, every little bit they can get. We knew it was going to be tough, just as it was for teams playing us when we were in that situation last year.
“I think it was a well-earned point but we were very disappointed that we didn’t go away with the three points with the chances we had. A few things didn’t fall for us, especially when Adri has saved another penalty – it’s a fantastic save – that we then couldn’t go onto win.
“But we have to respect it [the point], it’s a clean sheet which is nice, and we’ve got our target of 50 points which we’re not far off now. Reaching that would not be a perfect season, because it could have been much better, but we have to respect the fact that a lot of injuries have happened and we’ve got a small squad that has been able to deal with it.”
“I’m very pleased for him, it’s a brilliant start and this is the beginning for him. He’s set his standards now and he’s got to keep them there for now until the end of the season, then come back looking to knock Reidy, Ginge and Tonks out of the way.”
Kevin, putting Saturday’s game in isolation, QPR are desperate for a win but we were resolute and could possibly have nicked it…
KN: “Of course. It’s getting down to the crunch end of the season and they’re battling for every point, every little bit they can get. We knew it was going to be tough, just as it was for teams playing us when we were in that situation last year.
“I think it was a well-earned point but we were very disappointed that we didn’t go away with the three points with the chances we had. A few things didn’t fall for us, especially when Adri has saved another penalty – it’s a fantastic save – that we then couldn’t go onto win.
“But we have to respect it [the point], it’s a clean sheet which is nice, and we’ve got our target of 50 points which we’re not far off now. Reaching that would not be a perfect season, because it could have been much better, but we have to respect the fact that a lot of injuries have happened and we’ve got a small squad that has been able to deal with it.”