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Would You Adam & Eve It Captain Nobbled By Back Injury!

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 23/08/2018 - 16:43

Back in the day before we at the Org were banned from West Ham United press conferences, Journo's used to ask quite telling questions, if they were too much the manager would give a look that meant it was a no go area and the subject would generally be dropped. When Manuel Pellegrini spoke to the media he quickly recounted the injury situation that everyone knew about, Carroll, Reid and Lanzini, all long term, but then he casually mentioned that club captain Mark Noble had 'picked up' a back injury! What was he doing? Trying to get a piano upstairs? No one pursued the matter to an extent that was warranted, and the news just sort of 'slipped through'.

Sorry, but Manuel Pellegrini is not called the Gentle man for nothing, it would have been just as easy for him to have dropped 'Nobbs' in the public glare, but he has a lot more style than that. Noble's 'back injury' has removed a painful decision ahead of the Arsenal game for the manager as whether or not to play 'Mr West Ham', some would say it was a convenient co-incidence, either way all the fan sites and media, including the Org, have got their way and expect to see a 'new look' midfield.

Noble's injury, fake news, convenient or not, has opened up the midfield berths leaving Pellegrini with a lot of options from a lot of choices, experimenting against a team of Arsenal's quality is a risky business even if they are still 'running in' under new manager Emery's guidance. We are not inferring that Mark Noble's injury is pure invention, most professional sports people endure 'niggles' on a repetitive basis which only increase with the advancement of time. Indeed Noble played last season with a Hernia that needed operating on, he only underwent the surgeon's knife once safety against relegation had been confirmed!

For a long time Mark Noble has run his heart out for the club, cut him and he'll bleed Claret and Blue, when he was able to play along side top players in the past he was able to excell, however it does look as if his time as part of the starting line up is coming to an end. Manuel Pellegrini will not 'throw him under the bus', he is far more likely to ease him away from front line duty tactfully and with dignity. That is not to say that Mark Noble won't be pushing for his place back when he has 'recovered' from his back injury, far from it, after all he has seen off a good few managers in his time, and not all of them have 'fancied' Noble initially or at times during their tenure, but it didn't stop him working his way back in to the team, however he can't just hit the 'Go' button and suddenly haul back the years perpetually, there has to be a cut off point and maybe that time has finally arrived.

Most fans realistically expect Hammers not to win or even get a draw, but the manner in which they play will be very important, and although the Emirates is a big Stadium the fans can be as quiet as those at the London Stadium on a bad day, furthermore, with one exception, all of Hammers' new signings have 'big game' experience and should be able to go out and express themselves in what could be a lot less of a hostile environment than when they are playing at home. £100 Million must surely have ticked a few boxes, it might nearly have put majority share holder and co-owner David Sullivan in to one after he had to write out the checks!

Perhaps the Pellegrini effect will take root this weekend, perhaps not, but there needs to be solidarity while the club is in transition, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither will West Ham become the club it aspires to be in the short term, but a bit of steady progress would go a long way to calming already sensitive nerves around the club. - Ed

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To a lot of fans, so injury or not its probably good timing...he probably needs a break from the constant whinging of some fans,then when hes back an impact sub would seem to suit all parties...

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60 users have voted.
nevillenixon's picture

Little Ed was saying to me that Nobes needs a break, not just for a few days but a few weeks! He doesn't think they allowed him sufficient time to recover from his recent Op.

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66 users have voted.
moore2come's picture

Hernia mentioned in the article. Of course as you age it takes a little longer than expected to get over niggles and knocks. I've suffered with a hernia before and whilst advances have been made in how they are treated, recovery is key. Of course, this should have been identified during the pre-season and he should have been eased back slowly, a bit like Carroll hahaha. Of course it's all smoke and mirrors. He's fading faster with each passing season and can't expect to play more than half the games per season imo.

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55 users have voted.

interesting stat, played 9 games last season without Noble. We didnt win one of them. But dropping him is the answer to all our problems.

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66 users have voted.
nevillenixon's picture

His Op was for a Hernia which he played through the pain barrier with for a month. You are correct as was alluded to in the article, Mark Noble has been dropped before and the team have lost in his absence, however the team will currently lose with his presence, that is the difference. I saw his first team debut and take no joy in 'nailing his coffin', it's just life!

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58 users have voted.

That Hernia op was 2 seasons ago now wasnt it? Believe me Nev i'm not saying Noble is playing well or anything currently, just that people seem to think dropping him is going to solve all our problems.

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64 users have voted.
moore2come's picture

Who's to say it won't. Previously we've had nothing but crap to replace him. There are more options now and maybe finally we can come to rely on him a little less than we've had to in the past. He can't go on forever!

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63 users have voted.

Anyone who watches football and understands dropping noble, wont affect the defenders ability to put in a tackle, or Masuaku's ability to play in a back 4, or Ogbonna giving away a needless foul followed by him not marking his man at a corner. Again, yes he needs to be eased out the team and probably needs to get fitter to, but theres alot more pressing concerns then Noble.

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70 users have voted.
nevillenixon's picture

Don't wish to be pedantic but the hernia op he had recently was to repair and replace his mesh, unfortunately a procedure well known to us at the Org!

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61 users have voted.

If hes had the mesh repaired & replaced no wonder the injury may have had an effect on him!!From experience a successfull Hernia Op isnt exactly pleasant (especially near the crown jewels!!) but i wouldnt fancy that,having the mesh replaced!!

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54 users have voted.
moore2come's picture

I’ve a mesh that repaired mine. Was unaware that it could need replacing. Sounds well uncomfortable!! I remember walking around like I’d been rooted by a train for close to 2 weeks! Not something I fancy again.

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61 users have voted.
boogerscaravan's picture

Noble is not feeling right and as a result Pellegrini has again shown his class in handling the situation. He will be back when and if Pellegrini feels the time is right. As for captain enter Arnautivitch.....

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64 users have voted.

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