The 2015-16 season is becoming quite the spectacle for West Ham. Last night’s superb 1-0 victory over Tottenham was the perfect tribute to the Boleyn Ground as the Hammers displayed passion and determination to see off a Spurs side aiming for the title.
When it comes to passion, there is no player that typifies the commitment to the cause more so than club captain Mark Noble. He was everywhere last night. The Tottenham players rarely had a moment’s rest on the ball as Noble was always in their face. His energy was contagious as the entire team seemed determined to stop Spurs in their tracks, keeping out a side that are incredibly difficult to beat.
The number 16 nearly scored a beauty from the edge of the area (one will go in at some point, surely!) and his performance outlined exactly why the Noble-for-England bandwagon is finally starting to pick up some speed.
Whether Roy Hodgson responds to the calls for the 28-year-old to finally get his chance remains to be seen. However, one former England international is starting to lose patience. Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live yesterday, Paul Ince questioned why the midfielder was not representing his country:
“I can’t understand, for the life of me, why Mark Noble is not in the England squad. I say it time and time again.
“It’s ok getting carried away with players who just do it one season or ten or twelve games. This kid’s been doing it year in and year out,” said the former England midfielder.
“Why Mark Noble hasn’t had a chance in the England squad I don’t know. I think it’s an absolute joke.”
The midfielder is really starting to ask questions of Roy Hodgson this season and it’ll be interesting to see how the England manager reacts. Reports suggest that Hodgson is ready to call up the likes of Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels and Watford’s Troy Deeney. If there is substance to this, Hammers fans may find it very difficult to watch England at the Euros as West Ham’s English players seem to get overlooked time and time again.
Although Ince may not be the most popular name amongst West Ham fans, he would have won a few over with his views on Noble and the current England setup.
Has Noble and West Ham been overlooked by Roy Hodgson since he took over as England manager?
