There’s a lot of talk about Mark Noble having been somewhat ignored by every England manager in recent history. After all, Mark played for England from Under 16′s through to Under 21′s. Noble captained the Under 21′s to runners-up at the 2009 European Championships. His recent uplift in performance has again raised questions as to why Mark hasn’t been given a single chance for the senior side, even during a friendly.
However, there is a strong chance that Mark will follow in the footsteps of Kevin Nolan, who has never represented England at senior level. Kevin is now at the ripe old age of 31 but has scored 10+ league goals in the last four campaigns (albeit with two being in the Championship).
After a slow start this season, and after receiving two red cards in four appearances in December/January, Kevin found his form again and in West Ham’s current five match unbeaten run, has scored five and assisted another. Taking his season tally up to seven. Just three goals off making it five campaigns in a row with 10+ goals.
Kevin is inevitably going to feature in the Player of the Month shortlist for February. The Hammers captain has always been known as a Premier League goalscorer. He has a knack of being a ‘fox in the box’ and finishing half chances which would otherwise be easily dealt with by defenders. So then why has Kevin never represented England at senior level? Back in November 2012, talking to ESPN Kevin admitted his hurt of being overlooked by each England manager.
“It does hurt I haven’t got one [England cap] I must admit, and it does hurt a bit, but it is something I have got to live with and I’m a big boy. I don’t know what more I can do to be quite honest. I’ve scored goals consistently for a number of years, I dropped down a division but consistently scored goals down there.”
Most England managers wouldn’t have been able to fit Kevin in to their methods. Everyone knows that Kevin is most successful when he plays off the ‘big man’, and with players like Peter Crouch having had decent length spells for England; it is a missed opportunity for the nation. Nolan may have brought his goals to the international stage, if given a chance. It is almost certain that the particular train, which Nolan has wanted to board, has left the station. Kevin never got his chance, and as of yet, neither has Mark Noble.
In 2012, Leon Osman was called up to the England squad after a good couple of seasons with Everton. However, Kevin has been producing season after season and most certainly has deserved a shot many times. The same story is likely to come true for the Mark Noble unless one manager gives him a shot before it’s too late.
Mark Noble will continue to give his all for West Ham as he has done since his debut when he was just 17. He’s approaching his prime, now aged 26 and has already clocked up 243 appearances for the Hammers.
