So, Mark Noble ends the 2016/17 season with 402 West Ham appearances. This puts him equal 17th appearance maker for the club (joined with Ted Hufton, 1915-1932).
Next season, he could conceivably make it up another few places. 13th is probably as high as he can get by this time next year, unless he plays every game in a couple of cup runs too.
17 - 402 - Mark Noble (2004 - 2017) 16 - 406 - Ernie Gregory (1939 - 1959) 15 - 428 - John Bond (1952 - 1965) 14 - 431 - Ray Stewart (1979 - 1991) 13 - 436 - Phil Parks (1979 - 1990)
------------
12 - 446 - Alan Devonshire (1976 - 1990) 11 - 455 - Ken Brown (1953 - 1967) 10 - 576 - Jim Barrett (1925 - 1945) 09 - 502 - Geoff Hurst (1958 - 1972) 08 - 505 - Vic Watson (1920 - 1935) 07 - 505 - Steve Potts (1985 - 2001) 06 - 548 - Jimmy Ruffell (1921 - 1937) 05 - 601 - Alvin Martin (1978 - 1996) 04 - 635 - Trevor Brooking (1967 - 1984) 03 - 646 - Bobby Moore (1958 - 1974) 02 - 674 - Frank Lampard (1967 - 1985) 01 - 793 - Billy Bonds (1967 - 1988)
Think a lot of players have declined this year....
Do think Nobles time is slowly coming to a close
Think Obiang and Kouyate just offer more energy and have more efficient use of movement. Noble has a great engine but his tenacity can get him into trouble as this bigger pitch creates bigger spaces that the opposition can exploit
One big thing about Noble was his long passing.....something neither Kouyate or Obiang can do as well but Fernandes showed recently that he has that in his locker also
He will need replacing some day but right now CM is probably one of our stronger areas with Kouyate, Obiang, Fernandes, Noble, Nordtveit and Lanzini who played there well against Burnly
Well we won without Noble yesterday (that curse is broken)
I don't think Noble needs replacing par-se the big games like Spurs and so on where you need someone who bleeds claret and blue like Collins you need those kind of characters for those games to fire up the team.
But overall he isn't getting any better and I don't think he can improve much on his ability, I do believe there are better players we can get to fill that space who could potentially offer more. But there are way many more other positions that need sorting first.
I think he is unlikely to command a nailed on starting position in a full strength side, but I certainly don't think he should be going anywhere. I want him in and around the squad, and, actually, if he started the season as first choice CM I wouldn't complain.
Personally I think he is a good player to have in the squad abit like Ginge , I think he may not be a nailed on starter all season would like to see Fernandes/Obinag gradually replace him and that might mean a new captain maybe the season after
I can't say I've seen much suggestion that he would be a 'key' player. He had a good game yesterday, and it is very good, imo, that a young player bought in 'for the future' has shown himself good enough to force his way into the match day squad and team.
For me, everyone starts equal in pre-season, and then tries to 'force' the manager's hand by how they train and play.
Fernandes in my opinion has shown versatility. He can play wingback/right wing and central midfield. I see him as an option instead of Kouyate, Obiang and Noble in central midfield and a possible deputy for Byram, Antonio or Feghouli or even Snodgrass on the right.
A very good squad player to have in the side who will get better with more games.
Noble's now up to 457 West Ham appearances, 11th highest in club history. 10 behind 10th place Jim Barrett, before a bit of a climb to Geoff Hurst in 9th on 502 appearances ;clap
Despite criticism from fans, successive managers select him consistently. He does the hard yards, and the unspectacular work for our team. His tackling and passing are underrated imo. His loyalty and genuine commitment to the club are rare in today’s game. If he is in the side I always feel it improves our chance of a win.
Despite criticism from fans, successive managers select him consistently. He does the hard yards, and the unspectacular work for our team. His tackling and passing are underrated imo. His loyalty and genuine commitment to the club are rare in today’s game. If he is in the side I always feel it improves our chance of a win.
Definately believe he looks much better in a midfield 3, especially when the 3rd spot is taken by Snodgrass
Snodgrass offers a lot of energy and covers a lot of ground so allows Noble to keep his position more
He is 32 this summer though, and while I love him I cant help but think if you look at areas where we should add real investment, I'd say an adequate partner for Rice at CM is a top priority
I know I can't prove he doesn't but I haven't seen much evidence of him when we are in a hole of him getting hold of the players and the game generally and addressing the situation like a Bondso or Dicksy would. In the Wimbledon match and he just seemed to watch the mess unfolding around him. It's just my opinion. ;ok
I couldn't possibly criticise his football at present as he is putting in a shift players ten years younger would be proud of at present.
The issue I have is that he could of been sent off in the last two matches, against Villa if that had been judged a dive, and many lesser cases have been, then he was off and this week his raised studs flying into the leg of the Man U player would likely of been a straight Red in perhaps half of matches.
It's also that when he makes these challenges its very often at times when it's just not necessary. This was the case yesterday, were that challenge made to prevent a player a through on goal situation you can say well it was rash and mistimed but he had to try and make that, but as so often wasn't necessary. I sometimes feel he doesn't feel he has played if he hasn't at least picked up a yellow.
From a football perspective rather than discipline however he clearly brings something unique as the stats reveal, we are more effective with him in the team. He is also a great captain and penalty taker. two things all teams need.
"I think Noble plays best when he has good players around him. He has a good eye for a pass, and he can steady the game when necessary too. As longas there are others covering and others making runs, Noble is in his element. In a struggling side, he's not quite as effective - he doesn't have the speed or presence to stamp his authority on a game, and turn a game, in the way that, say, Scott Parker, or Billy Bonds could."
Can't disagree with that, so the credit goes to Pelle (plus Sully & Gold for backing him) for getting these better players in. Noble definitely is playing the best I have ever seen.
Comments
Next season, he could conceivably make it up another few places. 13th is probably as high as he can get by this time next year, unless he plays every game in a couple of cup runs too.
17 - 402 - Mark Noble (2004 - 2017)
16 - 406 - Ernie Gregory (1939 - 1959)
15 - 428 - John Bond (1952 - 1965)
14 - 431 - Ray Stewart (1979 - 1991)
13 - 436 - Phil Parks (1979 - 1990)
------------
12 - 446 - Alan Devonshire (1976 - 1990)
11 - 455 - Ken Brown (1953 - 1967)
10 - 576 - Jim Barrett (1925 - 1945)
09 - 502 - Geoff Hurst (1958 - 1972)
08 - 505 - Vic Watson (1920 - 1935)
07 - 505 - Steve Potts (1985 - 2001)
06 - 548 - Jimmy Ruffell (1921 - 1937)
05 - 601 - Alvin Martin (1978 - 1996)
04 - 635 - Trevor Brooking (1967 - 1984)
03 - 646 - Bobby Moore (1958 - 1974)
02 - 674 - Frank Lampard (1967 - 1985)
01 - 793 - Billy Bonds (1967 - 1988)
Charlie Nicholas thinks Noble is declining and needs replacing
Do think Nobles time is slowly coming to a close
Think Obiang and Kouyate just offer more energy and have more efficient use of movement. Noble has a great engine but his tenacity can get him into trouble as this bigger pitch creates bigger spaces that the opposition can exploit
One big thing about Noble was his long passing.....something neither Kouyate or Obiang can do as well but Fernandes showed recently that he has that in his locker also
He will need replacing some day but right now CM is probably one of our stronger areas with Kouyate, Obiang, Fernandes, Noble, Nordtveit and Lanzini who played there well against Burnly
I don't think Noble needs replacing par-se the big games like Spurs and so on where you need someone who bleeds claret and blue like Collins you need those kind of characters for those games to fire up the team.
But overall he isn't getting any better and I don't think he can improve much on his ability, I do believe there are better players we can get to fill that space who could potentially offer more. But there are way many more other positions that need sorting first.
(I love him)
I've just seen a lot of people now talking like he's a genuine key for next season player based on yesterday where he was admittedly very good.
Nobes for me still stays first choice CM until his form is poor enough for him to lose it.
I can't say I've seen much suggestion that he would be a 'key' player. He had a good game yesterday, and it is very good, imo, that a young player bought in 'for the future' has shown himself good enough to force his way into the match day squad and team.
For me, everyone starts equal in pre-season, and then tries to 'force' the manager's hand by how they train and play.
A very good squad player to have in the side who will get better with more games.
;bowdown
Snodgrass offers a lot of energy and covers a lot of ground so allows Noble to keep his position more
He is 32 this summer though, and while I love him I cant help but think if you look at areas where we should add real investment, I'd say an adequate partner for Rice at CM is a top priority
We were 2-0 and he was roaring at everybody when he ran on. Then he played a worldy pass for Arnie to score.
Article about Nobes.
I'll leave this here too
The issue I have is that he could of been sent off in the last two matches, against Villa if that had been judged a dive, and many lesser cases have been, then he was off and this week his raised studs flying into the leg of the Man U player would likely of been a straight Red in perhaps half of matches.
It's also that when he makes these challenges its very often at times when it's just not necessary. This was the case yesterday, were that challenge made to prevent a player a through on goal situation you can say well it was rash and mistimed but he had to try and make that, but as so often wasn't necessary. I sometimes feel he doesn't feel he has played if he hasn't at least picked up a yellow.
From a football perspective rather than discipline however he clearly brings something unique as the stats reveal, we are more effective with him in the team. He is also a great captain and penalty taker. two things all teams need.
He’s like Roy of the Rovers, only not got an England cap or won so many trophies. But Mark is real, which makes him better.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49788690
"I think Noble plays best when he has good players around him. He has a good eye for a pass, and he can steady the game when necessary too. As longas there are others covering and others making runs, Noble is in his element.
In a struggling side, he's not quite as effective - he doesn't have the speed or presence to stamp his authority on a game, and turn a game, in the way that, say, Scott Parker, or Billy Bonds could."
Can't disagree with that, so the credit goes to Pelle (plus Sully & Gold for backing him) for getting these better players in.
Noble definitely is playing the best I have ever seen.