Recent reports suggested that captain Kevin Nolan is on his way back to the Reebok and whether or not this materialises, it does appear likely that he will be moving on to pastures new. This will leave the captain’s armband up for grabs and I would assume Mark Noble would be a front runner to take the armband as he did in large parts of last season when Nolan wasn’t selected in our starting XI.
Noble would undoubtedly be over the moon to officially captain his boyhood club but as the 2015/16 season approaches should Mark Noble retain his guaranteed first team place that has been his for a number of years now?
With the addition of Pedro Obiang and Dimitri Payet, the imminent arrival of Alex Song and the strong interest in creative midfielders Yohan Cabaye, Paris St Germain, and Manuel Lanzini of Al Jazira, our midfield is set to have lots of competition and strength in depth. Mark Noble wears his heart on his sleeve when he plays for West Ham and has been a fan’s favourite for a long time but last season he showed signs of weakness.
I feel that when Noble played in midfield with the likes of Jack Collison, Matt Taylor and Gary O’Neill he was clearly going to look like our best midfielder. However, with Kouyate and Song, a sudden realisation of what a quality midfielder can do has cast doubt over Noble’s position.
As a local boy, I feel that Noble does have a ‘get out of jail free’ card occasionally as I feel he does lack the ability to shape a game. I’m not saying that Noble should be shipped off to the championship as I believe his commitment, passion and hunger to achieve big things with West Ham can rub off on the other players and with our tough campaign around the corner, the more players the better, but I do think that maybe Bilic should think before simply handing him a first team place due to who he is.
When Noble signed a five year deal I was quite disappointed as I wondered how our club can truly progress and become one of the best teams in the country with players of Noble’s calibre in the squad. He is not a bad player but in my opinion, he is average, very average.
This is starting to become a disgrace from some forums, Mark Noble was not the only one to lose form after Christmas, how about Song, who we want to sign? or Dowling and there were many others, but only one person to blame, Allardyce, thankfully he has gone!
I believe we will see a different Mark Noble with Slaven Bilic so give him a chance, I feel he should be appointed Captain,a player who gives Everything!
Totally agree….and he played far better when Nolan wasn’t in the side.Give the lad a chance he’s earnt at least that.
Seriously? The post was spot on. We all love Noble but if we are to be ambitious then he will be a fringe player so captain would not be a good call.
4-2-3-1 is the fashionable formation these days with 2 defensive and 3 creative or attacking players. Billie used the same system in Turkey and Noble doesn’t fit either role well, he’s more an old school jack of all trades midfielder and in truth plays from the heart but lacks higher level quality.
The games is moving on, time it get used to it.
This whole article is based on a silly assumption,that a manager with Bilic’s experience would simply hand a captain’s role, or even a regular start to Noble,at the expense of a better player, just because he’s a local boy.
Spot on article.
People forget that When we had our good run last season Noble was injured for a while too.
He lacks pace and poise.
A good championship player but We will not go forward with likes of Noble as the mainstay in midfield.
How many times did he stop us breaking forward from defence by stopping the ball and passing backwards?
Yes, agree West ham born and bred BUT so am I, does not make me a world beater.
Lets aim higher. Give Noble the respect he deserves but NO captaincy or starting berth.
COYI. Make us proud.
He’s a steady squad player imo. I like him but pace, cutting edge balls and goals return all could be better . Above all I have no idea why he takes such bad set pieces!
Mark Noble is a great loyal club player but not a world beater if …. we get these quality players then he can only be an important squad member mick m
He’s no Gerard but he’s our Gerard! Ok not the best goal scorer or the fastest but he will always be the first in a tackle and play for the shirt. He’s a east end boy and its hes club too. We have a big season coming up with a lot of games and we will need all our characters in the dressing room and it will mean just as much to him that west ham do well this season as is does to us. Give him a chance, he’s been loyal to us so let us do the same.
Spot on! I don’t like all the negativity around Noble! He is a true is a true Iron and always will be!
I can understand he may not get to be automatic starting player, with all the no signings. But he is still and important player, and he will always give his all.
At Last Hammers Fans are seeing the truth -Sure Noble is 100% Loyal and well liked by us all – but he really is not top class I think he should be our No1 Sub ( always on the bench ) great player to bring on to chase a game (get involved) and good cover for Injury’s when needed but not first choice if we are to become a real force in the Prem !
Spot on Ryan, Mr noble is our Gerard our Mr west ham United show the man same respect he’s given us 101% of himself always COYI!!! COMrnoble !!!.
Who is going to penalties next year?