Nolan: ‘Cole should have gone down for penalty’

West Ham skipper Kevin Nolan says the Hammers are too honest for their own good after their 3-3 draw with Birmingham City on Monday.

The Hammers skipper could not believe that the challenge on Carlton Cole in the second half did not result in a spot-kick for the Hammers and he suggested that the striker should have taken a tumble.

"The foul on 'Coley' was a penalty," insisted Nolan. "People are going on about these divers all the time and that's the disappointing thing.

"He is an honest lad and has tried to stay up and in the end Caldwell has made a fantastic tackle, but he has pulled him back and that is a definite penalty.

"It is not what we want in the game, but when he doesn't go down he doesn't get the penalty, that's what I said to him at the end of the game.

"He has tried to be honest, but for that he doesn't get the penalty.

"That is what I said to the referee, though not in those nice words and I have got a booking for it!"

Nolan has hit top form at just the right time and he insists that there is still plenty of room for improvement.

The 29-year-old grabbed his 11th goal of the campaign at Barnsley on Friday and then laid on Cole's goal on Monday.

And he puts his form down to things happening off the field.

"I have been delighted with my form," said the skipper following the 3-3 draw with Birmingham.

"It is a massive thing coming to a new club with the expectations about doing the job from the start.

"It is about trying to find the right balance with your personal and professional life. I feel that now more than ever.

"I've got my family moving down in August and we are looking to get everything sorted.

"It takes a huge weight off your shoulders having the kids around. It has been fantastic and on the pitch I feel that I am better for it.

"But I still think there is a lot more to come from me and I am very positive that it will come."