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Noble issued perfect response when asked about not playing

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Image for Noble issued perfect response when asked about not playing

OPINION

Mr.West Ham Mark Noble is no doubt aware of the exciting changes occurring around him under Manuel Pellegrini’s guidance ahead of the new season.

The Hammers have recruited several new players this season and no one’s place in Pellegrini’s starting line-up looks guaranteed even the club captain’s.

Pellegrini commented on Noble in his press conference ahead of his side’s game against Liverpool and hinted that the midfielder might not regular feature in the upcoming campaign.

“Mark Noble is the captain of the team and, although I don’t know how many times he will be selected, every time he is selected he will be captain!” said Pellegrini, as quoted by the Hammers’ official site.

The experience manager didn’t have to specifically put Noble’s starting position in doubt but based on his remarks it looks he has already decided not to feature the midfielder as regularly as past managers have.

While several players could potentially respond to this in a negative manor that would hurt the team, Noble isn’t one of them.

The Hammers mainstay, who played 33 times across all competitions last season, was directly asked in an interview how he would act to being dropped by his new boss.

“I am going to lace up my boots and walk out on Monday morning and train as hard as I do every week,”said Noble, as quoted by the Telegraph.

“Don’t get me wrong, I am going to be upset and angry but I am not going to be selfish and put myself before the football club because I think that’s wrong.”

Noble’s response to being dropped is perfect as not only does it prove he won’t be a toxic presence if left out, it shows that he isn’t going to calmly sit by the sidelines and let one of the new recruits simply take his spot.

The 31-year-old, who earns £50,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), will not stop fighting for his place in the team and not only will that see him produce his best performances but it will force those competing with him for a place to raise their games.

Noble had a disappointing season by his standards in his 2017/18 campaign but did finish the season on a high by running the show against Everton in his side’s last league outing.

If not being guaranteed a place seems him able to submit displays like the one against the Toffees at the end of last season regularly then it will be good news for the club’s fortunes on the pitch.

This all means that while it will be disappointing for the Hammers mainstay to potentially not be featuring all the time, at least his attitude towards the whole possible situation could have a positive impact.

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