Nolan holds key to Hammers’ promotion bid

Sam Allardyce insists Kevin Nolan holds the key to West Ham’s promotion bid after the midfielder inspired a 1-0 win at Doncaster.

Nolan, a surprise close-season signing from Newcastle, opened his Hammers’ goalscoring account after just five minutes on Saturday to clinch Allardyce’s first win in charge.

Nolan helped guide Newcastle back to the top flight at the first time of asking two years ago and Allardyce expects the 29-year-old’s know-how will prove invaluable as the east London club try to secure an instant return to the Premier League.

“Kevin has got a good mentality and he knows what it takes to get out of this division,” Allardyce said.

“We know it’s got to be quality with team spirit and he builds that in the dressing room. He talks to players and demands things from players which helps me with my job.”

Leicester manager Sven-Goran Eriksson slammed his expensively-assembled side after their 2-0 home defeat against Reading.

Eriksson spent over £9 million on 10 new signings during the close-season and the club’s Thai owners expect promotion to the Premier League.

Leicester looked anything but promotion contenders as goals from Noel Hunt and Hal Robson Kanu secured Reading’s victory.

Eriksson said: “We were very poor, especially in the first half. We couldn’t keep the ball. We had no flair and overall we played too many long, flat balls which were easy for Reading to defend against.

“We were very, very poor and it is frustrating for everyone. For the players and squad we have we have to do much better - there is no doubt about that.”

Leeds manager Simon Grayson was furious with referee Anthony Taylor after his nine-man side were beaten 1-0 by Middlesbrough at Elland Road.

Taylor sent off three players - two from Leeds - as Middlesbrough’s Marvin Emnes hit a second-half winner to condemn the hosts to a second successive league defeat.

Leeds winger Max Gradel and Middlesbrough’s Tony McMahon, both booked in the fifth minute following a minor skirmish, saw red before half-time, with Leeds captain Jonny Howson following them down the tunnel on the hour following an incident involving Emnes.

“I don’t know what words to describe it,” Grayson said. “Everybody is referring to a few of the decisions. It amazes you at times.

“The second decision with Jonny Howson is an unbelievable decision. The referee is 10-15 yards away, and how he can’t make the decision himself leaves me bewildered.”

Birmingham boss Chris Hughton saluted super-sub Adam Rooney as Keith Fahey’s goal clinched a 1-0 success against Coventry at St Andrews.

“Over the 90 minutes I thought we deserved the win and sending on Adam Rooney was a game-changing move,” Hughton said.

“I thought he came on and displayed a lot of energy and certainly changed the game for us.”

Nottingham Forest boss Steve McClaren admits his side are in urgent need of more firepower after a 2-0 defeat at Millwall.

McClaren is yet to see his side score a league goal following his appointment in the close-season and the former England coach wants to bring in new forwards.

“It’s been a frustrating pre-season. We’re still three or four players short of a squad that can compete for promotion and we need to build it quickly,” McClaren said.

“At the present moment we don’t have that. I thought we’d replace the nine players we lost quicker but we haven’t and now we’re getting punished for it.”

Elsewhere, Hull won 1-0 at Ipswich, Derby defeated Watford 1-0, Crystal Palace beat Burnley 2-0, Brighton saw off Portsmouth 1-0 and Southampton secured a 1-0 win over Barnsley.

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