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West Ham’s Hammer of the Year has been decided

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Kevin Nolan Mark NoblLast week I wrote a short article regarding the possible outsiders for this season’s Hammer of the Year. As an oversight, I neglected to mention that these were outsiders for the title and that in most people’s eyes; a season of high consistency would see Mark Noble as the favourite to take the crown. I was rightly castigated for this and I apologise for leaving that out of the initial article.  In my opinion, Mark Noble has been nothing but inspiring all season, with supporters of other clubs, singing his praises to me this year, some suggesting he should be at least considered for the England side.

Noble this season has seemingly taken the bull by the horns and stamped his authority over the first-team midfield this season. Though he was sent off early on in the season for two bookable offences against Everton, Noble hasn’t let this stop his combative displays. Though players like the newly-signed Adrian, the record transferred Andy Carroll and our recently free-scoring captain Kevin Nolan tend to grab the headlines, Noble goes about his performances in a mature and determined fashion, not grabbing admiring compliments from the pundits, but consistently gaining the backing of the Hammers faithful.

Fortunately though, it’s not only us the Irons fans that have noticed the performances from the Canning Town born midfielder, as Noble himself also has commented on his form:

“I think I am playing the best football of my career right now as far as my all-round game is concerned. I have probably played as well as I ever have in 90 per cent of the games so far this season but when you are losing it doesn’t show.”

To come out and say this shows huge confidence in his game, which will only benefit the rest of the side. The last few games, in particular Swansea City and Southampton, Noble has marshalled the midfield, intercepting and breaking down opposition play, and bringing our midfield and attacking options back into the game.

Obviously the ambition for Noble would be to get into Roy Hodgson’s side in time for the World Cup, especially when you consider his Premiership statistics, compared to England squad regular Tom Cleverley for this season, have been far superior. With 199 more successful passes than Cleverley as well as the more obvious stats of more goals and assists (Cleverley has no assists and one goal in those categories)

With the squad named for the Denmark game next week and Noble not being selected, the chance seems to have escaped him yet again, and with his consistency not being rewarded I feel as unlucky as Noble is, we’re lucky to have a local lad who wants to play for the side, giving his heart and soul. Yes, I admit my previous article forgot to include reasoning as to why I’d neglected his inclusion for Hammer Of The Year, but it was an oversight I failed to include. Truth be told, at just 26 years-old Mark Noble is well on his way to becoming a West Ham legend.

Regards

@TheRobTaylor32

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