A number of eyebrows were raised when David Moyes announced his team for Norwich Cty yesterday.
In dropping Yarmolneko to the bench and bringing back the captain in Mark Noble supporters thought the team was too defensive for one of the worst teams in the Premier League and that Noble himself is now too slow.
Noble was to repay his faith in his manager by having a great game and contributing to the goals.
The 33-year-old set up two of the four goals yesterday. The skipper also made 54 passes with an impressive completion rate of 89%, and won two tackles and five individual duals
It seemed as though the midfielder was deployed slightly further forward in a more attacking role against Norwich.
David Moyes confirmed that in his post-match press conference by saying “We just asked him to play a bit more advanced than the other ones. We felt that today with the way Norwich were setting up, it was a good move. It is more to do with Mark Noble’s leadership, with the ball and without it, take responsibility and I thought he was as good as anyone today. “
Of course we need him as proved yesterday but he cannot play every match during this punishing schedule.Used sparingly he can still perform.Even next season I doubt Moyes will play him every week as he builds a younger team.
I thought Moyes got everything right yesterday from starting line up to subs.
Thanks for your article, sir.
Interesting indeed. Our journey with our skipper has been up and down … exciting and frustrating.
One thing is for sure – He is a massive inspiration to all. And his playing style had changed. Not so many bad and backward passes. And on the day his assists and through passes are magic.
After a few matches of rest, and a tried out combination of Rice/Tomas, yesterday was perfect for Mark’s return.
And his presence against Watford will be critical. May we get another good performance out, as well as s good result.
Coyi. God bless.
Spot on right Sean ..I am not a Noble knocker and lovehim for being Mr WestHam but yesterday he surpassed everything that was expected of him with flying colours. I will be totally honest though when I saw the starting 11 I thought we need to move it forward at pace and this doesn’t always happen with Mark but him.in front of Dec and Tomas worked a treat. .well.done Mr Moyes .the same next Friday please COYI
Let’s not get carried away, credit where it’s due he had a good game yesterday and you can only beat what is in front of you, but they were such poor opposition that you can’t judge a player yesterday.
I think it sums it up when you tell a player you don’t have to track back as much, it’s because his legs can’t now.
There is no embarrassment for Noble, he is going to get 500 games on Friday, he’s done his bit for the club for so many years, but club legends have their time.
I hope he’s working alongside whoever is managing in years to come, he knows what it means to the fans and I don’t see too many in the club that understand the history and the club.
Spot on, Dave………..
Norwich were no better than Championship and Noble’s speed and age is perfect for that level, if you have any questions about Noble and his suitability for the Premiership, record a full match and then watch him stand in the Centre Circle a lot, pass virtually as soon as he is given the ball, because he is getting to slow to stop real Premiership players from taking the ball off him and he is like a lot of older players, avoiding injury. If you do watch him you will see his work rate is poor he gives hospital passes to others. He passes back a lot, when the play is moving on to the attack. I watch several of his matches in full and they show a once good player getting old. If he is a true fan of the club, he will see it himself and retire or more to the Championship.
Can’t agree, Norwich were so poor our kids would have beaten them 0-4 and a more attacking line up would have had a field day. He said previously some haven’t had a run out due to no match fitness so why did it take so long to get those players on the pitch. At 3 nil when Norwich hadn’t had a sniff why did he not make wholesale changes then? And as for this Noble love in, I think Noble is great but other than 3 great passes he did nothing else and those passes were with no pressure what so ever. He has nothing to prove and doesn’t need the fitness so why play him over others that would have benefited far more from the minutes. I think we are in danger of thinking we were brilliant and all is rosy. Norwich were appalling and gave that game to us. Watford won’t be so obliging and neither will Mancs and Villa. Players other than those that have been shoe ins for the starting 11 should have seen more minutes. Playing Noble further forward helped with his lack of pace but surely wilshere would have benefited more from the minutes. Noble should have been kept fresh for Watford and Villa, I would not play him at Old Trafford as he will be a pedestrian.
apart from two assists . i think he may have been more effective than Lanzini/Anderson
Wjo
I’m inclined to Agree with you but Noble played the role that was asked and had a great game. I thought Norwich would fight more,put in more fouls especially on Noble.
I don’t think Noble can play against Watford. Feel Moyes will go ultra defensive cititng a draw will be good enough. Best form of defence is attack.Moyes should of put 3 subs on T the “drinks” break and told them to get 5.
Against Watford we will need more aggression. Haller should be up for this and move Antonio to play behind him.
Hi . Can’t understand the hype . Noble was more comfortable because he was playing against dispirited second grade opposition . In other words he found his true level . Then try and say that he would be able to do even an average job against probably 16 of the top flight clubs , DeBruyne and the like , and we can all laugh ourselves to sleep instead of worrying what Mastermind Moyes might conjour up next . Sure if Moyes played him because of the standard of the opposition it was a good move but for the previous 30+ games where he has been so far of off the pace what was the rational . We are desperately short of pace in midfield and Rice has been wasted most of the season covering for his absentee midfield partner . Our desperately poor full backs have been left without help while Noble panted in the centre circle and the gap between offence and defence was enormous as Noble has been left behind as fit athletic youngnsters run past him unchallenged . A loyal servant yes … a midfielder to contribute positively … most certainly not .