Is West Ham’s Noble a better bet for England than current squad?

Hatem Ben Arfa of Newcastle and Mark Noble of West Ham. Photo credit: Rob Newell/TGSPHOTO.

Dave Evans, West Ham Correspondent Tuesday, November 13, 2012
9:55 AM

Hammers midfielder Mark Noble showed at Newcastle on Sunday why he should be in the running for an England squad place

In a week where the likes of Leon Osman and Tom Huddlestone have been drafted into the England squad, while even the virtues of 30-year-old Kevin Nolan are being extolled, there seems to be one glaring omission.

Mark Noble is still only 25 and has represented the national team at every level from under-16 to under-21 and yet West Ham’s current longest-serving player is conspicuous by his absence from the squad to face Sweden this week.

The West Ham midfielder was at his very best at St James’ Park on Sunday afternoon. With Mo Diame alongside him, the Canning Town-born player helped run the show and provided the cross that led to Kevin Nolan’s winning goal.

It was a victory that delighted Noble.

“It’s a great result,” he said. “Coming to Newcastle is always hard, but the three points are massive for us.

“The lads have done incredible and some of the defensive play was unbelievable.

“Obviously it was a big pitch out there! I enjoyed it as I had loads of the ball and created a lot of stuff so I’m over the moon. I was playing against some top players in there like Cabaye so I enjoyed it.”

Noble was the star of the show in midfield, but he was more keen to extol the virtues of the rest of the side.

“James Tomkins has come in and played at centre half for the first time this year and he was fantastic, as were ‘Reidy’ and George McCartney. Joey O’Brien has had to play in two different positions and he’s a top footballer,” said Noble.

“It’s been a great day for us and we’re buzzing.”

Noble has been instrumental in West Ham’s start to the season, but he now wants to make sure that the run continues.

“We just have to keep doing what we have been doing. We can’t get carried away because we will get punished. If we play like did on Sunday and at QPR away and like we have been doing at home, we can have a top season.”

If he carries on like this, England could have another top midfielder as well.