England team selections in recent years have failed to inspire much excitement, certainly amongst fans more committed to their club’s cause.
With often-insipid international performances, and with few West Ham players part of the national team set-up, it is hard to get enthused about it all.
And with a large number of former Hammers appearing throughout England’s ‘Golden generation’, players such as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick, and Jermain Defoe, the lack of recognition is somewhat disappointing.
The player most expected to be putting his hand up for a place in recent years is Mark Noble.
I recently wrote how the former England U21 captain should be given more backing by supporters after regularly turning in wholehearted performances.
But getting to the next level is a big step, and he has again been overlooked for a place in the England squad, despite the meaninglessness of the upcoming fixtures.
It is difficult to understand why such a constant performer in the Premier League is ignored in favour of players with far less top-flight experience, and fewer youth level caps.
One signal could simply be because he is in a struggling team. Southampton have had a strong start to the season, and that success has been recognised with three players receiving call-ups.
Given Noble’s consistency though, he should hold out hope of a call-up should the club’s fortunes improve. If he can be the catalyst to propel West Ham forward, then it will be difficult for him to be totally dismissed as an option.
Scott Parker remained in the international wilderness for many years, until his leadership skills and energetic displays became increasingly prominent in a struggling team.
He went on to captain his country in what was a purple patch later in his career.
Noble is much younger, and can still prove a lot.
A World Cup year gives players on the peripheries the chance to shine, and grab an opportunity by the scruff of the neck. Take Gareth Barry, Owen Hargreaves, and even Trevor Sinclair for example.
None could be considered the greatest of their generation, but were called upon to carry out a job admirably, and in doing so, won a lot of professional respect.
Famously, Alf Ramsey brought Jack Charlton into the England fold, not because he was the best player, but because he could best fulfil the role he was told to do.
If Noble can prove he can be instrumental in providing balance, energy and drive to a team, then the England management could see him fit into the best team they have available.
All it would then need is for another two England call-ups from West Ham to not only make the games more interesting for us as fans, but also pretty much guarantee the country winning the World Cup, again…
Wash your mouth out!
Cant even read the article but the title is disgrace!
Get your tongue out of Nobles backside. Are you doing it to get clicks on your site? Noble is useless.
Useless ? You obviously haven’t been watching him play have you ?
Mark Noble useless????…just take a look at the Prem league and Opta stats mate then get back to us….
Spence you are crazy . Stop looking at useless statistics and watch the matches . He is terrible . He wastes every free kick and corner and gives the ball away at critical times . DONKEY !
Noble is terrible . He is a liability . ” goals last week down to him giving ball away in midfield .
Really!!! How can somebody who has not even been considered for England be selected.
And the award for most pointless and senseless comment goes to…
Come on back to your roots Mark and play for the Republic, we will appreciate you, playing in front of a packed Aviva Stadium, great prep for playing in the Olympic Stadium.
To be honest I’d rather not have any west ham players selected for the national team, especially with our recent track record. Ashton getting THAT injury and Green with THAT mistake against the USA. It will be along time before I have any interest in watching England and it will take a lot more then a West Ham player to make me change my mind.
When it comes to Noble, very underrated player who gets bashed for the sake of it IMO. You can’t buy his heart, passion and commitment. Give him the armband and watch him shine!!
Heart, passion and commitment all very fine attributes but its his slow speed, reckless tackles that lead to goals against, some very poor passes that put his teammates in trouble, his stupid attepts at the Parker turn and his constant sideways and backwards passing that let him down. Championship player.
Absoutely 100% correct . Be good at the Orient . Never ever an England player .
Useless?
He has been a constant first team player for us for many seasons and when we are doing well everyone praises him and when we are not he is useless.
He is stable and consistent, does not get injured a lot and a very important player for West Ham.
I feel he deserves a place in the England squad and team. Players that are willing to do the dirty work and get stuck in rarely get rave reviews. The stats don’t lie and if he left WHU and went to another team with better players around him he would certainly shine.
People that slag him off need to realise that he is one of the most consistent performers at the club and is only getting better.
Moron . Do you ever go to matches …. He is terrible !!!!