Fans have yet to see the best of midfielder Jon Nolan, according to the player who arrived in the summer from Shrewsbury and has started 11 of Town’s 21 Championship fixtures this season.
Former Everton youngster Nolan, who played for Hurst at both Grimsby and the Shrews, said: "There’s too much still to come. It’s obviously my own doing as well but collectively we haven’t been good enough and I wouldn’t say I’ve been good enough for the majority of the season. You haven’t seen me anywhere near my best.
"I don’t think I was expected to come in and rip up trees straight away. It’s a new league for me and it’s better quality. I believe I’m good enough to play in the Championship and hopefully I’ll get more of a chance to prove it in the rest of the season.”
Asked if he feared the worst for his career when Hurst was dismissed just 149 days into his Town reign, Nolan replied: "Not really but I was disappointed to see him go. I’ve always had a good relationship with him but we weren’t doing well enough and that’s football.
"Why did it not work out here for him? It’s a tough question and to be honest I don’t think I can answer it. I think it’s probably one for Paul himself.
"I haven’t spoken directly to him since he left but I sent him a text message wishing him all the best for the future.
"I hope he gets another job soon. I believe he will definitely be a success again in the future. I can’t see him not getting another job — put it that way — and fingers crossed for him and [former assistant manager] Chris Doig.”
Nolan was one of Hurst’s 12 summer signings, several of whom have yet to establish themselves at the club, but he insists he can still cut it at this level. "Yes, definitely, and I’ve got to be,” he added. "If I didn’t think that I’d be finished.
"I still think it’s a bit early to judge all the new lads. Most of us had played in the lower leagues and in my case I was in the Conference for years. When I went into League One I wasn’t the best but then last season I got in the PFA Team of the Year. Hopefully I can still prove myself in this league.”
Coincidentally, central defender Toto Nsiala, also with Everton in his youth, made the same move from Shrewsbury to Town along with Nolan. But despite the fact that he has yet to feature under new boss Lambert, Nolan said: "Toto’s a happy lad. He’s always smiling and his attitude around the place is spot-on. He’s training well and if he gets the chance I have no doubt that he’ll do well.”
Another thing of which Nolan is certain is that Town’s home clash with Wigan is a must-win game. He said: "We’re going into every game thinking we’ve got to win. But Wigan haven’t been doing too well themselves recently and we’re at home with our fans behind us.
"They’ve been massively supportive this season. I couldn’t believe them at Stoke last week. They were singing all game. I’ve never seen anything like it. We want to get a result for them and all things considered Wigan is a game we have to win.”