Mark Noble admits that he was boosted to see Andy Carroll run onto the pitch last night admitting his presence on the field of play is major!
The skipper – relieved to grab a point from last night’s game va Carroll’s great shot – said: “You put that ball in the box and there’s every chance he’s going to shove his head, or anything, there.
“In all honesty, just his presence on the pitch – even when I saw him coming on gave me a bit of a boost.
“I’ve just kissed him on the forehead in the dressing room because it’s a very important goal for us.”
He admitted there was disappointment in the dressing room though saying: “We shouldn’t be in there really happy, and we’re not. It’s a little bit deflating because for large, large spells we dominated the game.
“When we get the first goal here we’re dangerous, but we knew what Stoke would be like. They’re a hard, fighting team. I know they’ve lost a few games recently but they haven’t been really outplayed.
“They work hard for each other, but tonight I thought the boys played really well and just couldn’t get the goal that we needed, and when we did – with three of them – they were disallowed!
“A point puts us seven points clear of the relegation zone and it’s three games unbeaten, but we’re still a little dejected because I thought we did enough to win.”
Carroll’s goal, after 13 games out with an ankle injury, was his third important one of 2018 following a brace against West Brom in January and Noble said his contribution was priceless.
What , no anti Andy Carroll posts today .? Probably too busy cheering the West Ham goal and celebrating not losing . Andy has proved yet again he is too valuable to sell . All he needs an injury free run up to the end of the season and good run without incident next season to re-establish himself as a dangerous player who will terrorize any opposition .
have been always a fan of AC and thought he is a key player for west ham, but never would have believed what he pulled off again. dramatic goal. Would have been even more happy if we had won, but I think we can go to the emirates with not having lost the last three games and try and get some points there too.
Everyone would like to see Andy injury free and would have done for the last 5 years. However, it ain’t happened and probably won’t happen next season. It’s no good having your most dangerous striker in the sick bay for two thirds of the season every season. It could come to the stage where we have to cut our losses and get a new striker with a good fitness record and who is available every week.
Andy Carrolls goal is worth a fortune as it almost certainly means premiership football next season.He offers something so different to most front men.If only he could stay free of injuries.Would be very surprised and disappointed if he went in the Summer.Even when fully fit though would Moyes play him from the start as he seems very reluctant to play 2 up top.Hernandez is only getting 15 mins at the moment,Hugill was bought as a Championship player as the owners probably thought thats where we would be next season when they bought him in January.We definately have fire power but need major strengthening in the creative midfield department.Sorry to say Kouyate looked awful again and Joao Mario very lightweight in the engine room.