Mark Noble has admitted that he didn’t expect to play any part for West Ham against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.
The 34-year-old club captain came on as a second-half substitute in place of Nikola Vlasic with around 30 minutes still remaining.
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Noble has played a peripheral role for the Hammers this term in what will be his final season playing in a West Ham shirt.
The Canning Town-born midfielder has played just 695 minutes spread across 14 appearances for the East London outfit this season (Transfermarkt).
Mark Noble is still a hugely important figure at the London Stadium though and David Moyes clearly trusts him implicitly.
It was a surprise when Moyes brought the Hammers midfielder on in place of Vlasic against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. Many West Ham fans expected more of an attacking substitute from the Scot. And it seems as though Noble was taken back himself as well…
Mark Noble makes admission after West Ham defeat to Liverpool
The experienced midfielder is always the model pro.
Noble might not have the legs any more but he proved against Liverpool that his footballing brain and technical ability are both still very much alive and kicking.
Despite his lack of game-time, the 34-year-old is always ready to play when called upon. That doesn’t mean that he is expecting to play all of the time though.
Noble spoke to WHUFC.com and admitted that he was surprised to get 30 minutes under his belt at Anfield on Saturday:
“I didn’t really expect to play half-an-hour here. Obviously we knew we had a few injuries and the manager asked me how I was feeling because I missed Wednesday night with a knee injury. I said, ‘Yeah, fine, I can’t wait to get on!’. Luckily enough I got quite a lot of the ball and really enjoyed it – in fact I didn’t want it to end, it was that enjoyable.”
The fact that we won’t see Mark Noble playing for West Ham again beyond this season really is hard to comprehend.
He’s been with us since 2004 and embodies the very fabric of our great football club. He will be impossible to replace as a leader and character around the place.
Every time he plays for West Ham this season, we should all cherish it.
Her proved against Liverpool that he still has a lot to offer at the very highest level. A great servant, a great player and a top, top man.
Mark Noble, we salute you.
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