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Apple 6:19 Tue Jan 12
Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Just over halfway through the season, sixth in the table and unbeaten in eight matches, it all looks good for West Ham as they go to Bournemouth tonight.
Rewind 12 months and there was a similar air of optimism at Upton Park, with Sam Allardyce’s West Ham on 33 points, one more than this term.
But it was at this point last season that the wheels fell off. In the remaining 18 matches, Allardyce’s team managed just three more wins to finish 12th.
So, the question to West Ham captain Mark Noble is why shouldn’t the same thing happen this time?
READ MORE
Payet to make first start since ankle injury on Tuesday
“One of the main factors last year was that the manager and his staff’s contracts were up at the end of last season, as was also the case with some of the players,” said Noble. “There were a lot of rumours that Sam wasn’t going to be given another contract.
“We obviously knew we were safe as well and if I’m honest, we took our foot off the gas. Also, with the games we had played and the effort we had put in to reach that position last season, I don’t think our squad was strong enough to maintain that momentum.
“It was an accumulation of all those things which resulted in us having a poor second half of the season. The main aim had been to have a solid Premier League season and we knew by Christmas we had virtually done that.
“This season is different. First of all we have a bigger and better squad. There is also a different feeling around the club and especially with the fans. I was the first one to say, when I knew Sam wasn’t staying, that what he did for this club was phenomenal.
“We had been relegated when Sam arrived and we know from previous experience that if you don’t get back into the Premier League straight away, it becomes a massive ask.
“Now, with the impending move to the new stadium and the players we’re signing, I think that worry has receded.”
Can Slaven Bilic, the man who replaced Allardyce, maintain that feel-good atmosphere at West Ham? “I’m pretty sure, if you said to our chairmen, that we would be sixth with 32 points, they would have been on their hands and knees celebrating,” says Noble, the club’s longest-serving player, who has a testimonial on March 28.
“I said to the gaffer the hardest games will be against teams from the bottom half of the table. Bournemouth, for example, came to our place earlier in August and surprised us. We gave away some silly goals and lost 4-3.
“We’re eight unbeaten now though and we’ve played some top teams during that run so we go into the game with a lot of confidence.”
Dimitri Payet, fit again following his ankle injury, is expected to start tonight, as is Michail Antonio.
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
One McAvennieeeeee
8:24 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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A CM who plays Centre half and can't pass the ball forward?
What an awful combo that is. Luckily the manager will see this and drop him for the next game I reckon.
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Hermit Road
8:12 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Thankfully Payet didn't follow his example of relentlessly passing backwards last night. He looked like a third centre back for most of the game.
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One McAvennieeeeee
7:19 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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What an absolute pleasure it is having this man captain of the club. The players all look up to him and he leads by example.
Heroic.
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One McAvennieeeeee
7:19 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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What an absolute pleasure it is having this man captain of the club. The players all look up to him and he leads by example.
Heroic.
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One McAvennieeeeee
7:19 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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What an absolute pleasure it is having this man captain of the club. The players all look up to him and he leads by example.
Heroic.
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Gavros
3:17 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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You dont bang on about Noble being shit?
FOMB.
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Rodfarts
3:11 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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I don't bang on about it either son.
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Gavros
3:04 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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well i do, but i dont bang on about it like some sort of autistic queen. He's still useful, in a way that Nolan clearly wasnt.
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Rodfarts
3:00 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Gavros does
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Mr Anon
2:59 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Should be obvious to everyone by now that Rodfarts doesn't actually believe what he's saying, no ones that stupid, don't rise to it.
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Gavros
2:29 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Noble will play an increasingly supporting role from next season, Im sure of it. Obiang has been the stand out player the past few games, Kouyate's form can and will improve, as will Song's. Just amongst those, Noble is by far the weakest option when everyone is fit.
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Darby_
2:27 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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We've definitely gone up a level as a club. Relegation is perhaps more remote than its ever been. Hats off to G&S, Samb0 and Bilic for that.
You're all are letting Rodders run the board tonight. The way to deal with a wind-up merchant is to ignore them, not react to them.
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clarky
2:16 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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For fuck sake chaps, just ignore the cretin!
He's only doing it to get a reaction!
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Lily Hammer
2:13 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Who farted?
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Rodfarts
2:10 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Let's all be honest tho.........hes a bit fucking shit ain't he?
Weakest link in the team.
Shame really but it is the truth.
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Lily Hammer
2:09 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Really good captain. Proud to have him leading us out, living the dream. He won't let us fuck this season up. Bilic knows that and that's why he keeps picking him, and that's why we are so high after so many injuries.
Keep up the good work, Mark.
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Rodfarts
2:06 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Yes West Ham....
Why who do you support mate?
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terry-h
2:03 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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OUR CLUB??
You fucking cunt.
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Rodfarts
1:46 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Why on my jaw.......I don't type with my jaw SON.
FUCKING HELL the planks we have supporting our club these days
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Hammer-n-nails
1:44 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Rodfarts a foul stench from an arse.
Can't you go and wank yourself off on the Spuds site ?
You must have repetitive strain injury on your jaw by now.
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East Auckland Hammer
1:28 Wed Jan 13
Re: Mark Noble promises club won't throw season away like last year
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Could have won 6-1 too.
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