Sometimes, a career isn’t about instant triumphs but about resilience and steady progress.
Kevin Nolan’s journey back into football management perfectly shows this.
After a rough start with Leyton Orient and Notts County, where things didn’t go his way, Nolan took a step back, spent time learning, and finally got a fresh opportunity with Northampton Town in December.
The club was struggling badly when Nolan arrived.
Plagued by injuries and reeling from a poor run of form that led to their previous manager’s resignation, Northampton faced the real risk of dropping down to League Two again.
But over the next five months, Nolan’s experience—especially the knowledge he gained coaching under David Moyes at West Ham—helped steady the ship.
By the time the season was wrapping up, he had secured Northampton’s League One status with matches to spare.
Learning From the Best and Leading With Confidence
Nolan is honest about how much his time at West Ham shaped him.
Working alongside Moyes, a manager he deeply respects, taught him valuable lessons about leadership, patience, and tactical thinking.
Nolan’s own playing career—where he captained West Ham and played over 150 times—gives him a natural authority, but coaching under Moyes gave him a fresh perspective.
He remembers the tough start at West Ham, when the club was flirting with relegation, and how Moyes’ determination pulled them through.
Nolan says he sometimes questioned Moyes’ methods at the time but now sees exactly why those choices worked.
It’s this experience that helped him tackle the challenges at Northampton with calm and confidence.
Battling Injuries and Rebuilding Northampton’s Spirit
When Nolan stepped in, Northampton were in real trouble.
After a brutal 5-0 defeat at home and a staggering injury list that once left 17 players unavailable, morale was at rock bottom.
Nolan praises the medical staff for their work but admits those early days were incredibly tough.
His main focus was simple but crucial: keep the team’s eyes on the goal of avoiding relegation.
He slowly rebuilt confidence, and even though his first game ended in a heavy loss to Reading, the team tightened up defensively in the following weeks.
A key part of this turnaround was the January transfer window, where Nolan brought in some promising young players on loan and reconnected with trusted coaches like Colin Calderwood.
Building a Team to Fight and Flourish
Nolan’s strategy combined fresh talent with experienced leaders like Sam Hoskins and Jon Guthrie, players who’d been instrumental in the club’s recent promotion.
Their presence was vital in getting the dressing room behind Nolan’s vision and pushing the team forward.
Behind the scenes, the club’s owners have been incredibly supportive, stepping up financially and backing Nolan’s plans.
This stability convinced Nolan to commit fully to Northampton, even turning down other offers.
With infrastructure improvements and ambitious recruitment underway, Nolan is eager to build a side that doesn’t just survive but challenges for the top half of League One.
Could VAR Change the Play-off Drama?
Turning to a different topic, the recent play-off matches have reignited a hot debate: should VAR be introduced in the play-offs?
Leyton Orient’s controversial opening goal against Stockport—where a clear offside wasn’t flagged—sparked frustration and raised serious questions about fairness.
Play-offs often decide the fate of clubs, making mistakes like this feel even more costly.
Some argue that if VAR is used during the regular season, it should also be in the play-offs to keep the competition’s integrity intact.
The memory of Huddersfield being denied clear penalties in the 2022 Championship play-off final still lingers, reminding fans and officials that these moments can shape careers and club futures.
How Walsall Overcame a Tough End to Their Season
Lastly, let’s talk about Walsall’s rollercoaster of a season.
After leading League Two comfortably, they suffered one of the harshest collapses in recent memory, managing only two wins in their final 20 games and dropping from top spot to fourth.
They did rally to win their last match, but heartbreak came when Bradford scored a 96th-minute winner to snatch automatic promotion away.
That kind of late disappointment could have easily weighed on Walsall’s minds going into the play-offs against Chesterfield.
But Mat Sadler’s squad showed impressive resilience and focus, especially away from home.
With strong defense and clinical finishing—goals from Taylor Allen and Alfie Chang—they secured a crucial 2-0 lead heading into the second leg, giving their fans hope for a turnaround.