The former captain recalls Slaven Bilic’s chat with him before leaving David Sullivan Junior’s cruel remarks about him, and his mate Andy Carroll plus his view on the whole Dimi Payet saga.
On leaving West Ham and that chat with Slav he said: ‘We had a chat and Slav wanted to keep me. But it was Mark Noble’s time to be the ca
“David Sullivan and David Gold were fantastic with me. We came to an agreement. I was supposed to go to another club but pulled out because of owners. Then you find yourself in the wilderness. Looking back should I have done it? Probably not. I should have just stayed and earned it.’
Nolan also speaks about the time was the target of some remarkable posts on Twitter of chairman’s son by David Sullivan Jr, who was 17 at the time.
The youngster tweeted:’How the f— Nolan is playing above League 2 amazes me. Gives us all hope.”
Nolan commented: ‘He said something which a young lad would. He got a telling off for it from his dad, which is enough for me.
“He sent an apology to me and I offered him to come train with me any time he wanted. Then I’ll show you how unfit I am!” I’d get him being sick. He never took me up on the offer. I’ve seen his Instagram, he’s having too much of a good time at the minute!’
Nolan also gave his view on the Payet affair saying:
I’ve played with Dimitri, he is a lovely lad, got fantastic ability, but he has been really badly advised. The club has taken a stance and the players all believe strongly, because they have a good camaraderie and mentality. That is probably why you got the best performance of West Ham against Palace.”
On his good mate Andy Caroll he added:‘I have always said, and people sometimes laugh, “It’s cause he’s your mate”, but Andy Carroll is one of the most gifted footballers, in terms of everything.
“His feet are great, he can score all types of goals, his heading ability is second to none, and when he is fit he is unplayable. He should be involved in an England team because he gives you something no other centre forward has got.’