Noble: West Ham weren’t good enough in the first half
Hammers midfield does believe second half performance will give side confidence
WEST Ham midfielder Mark Noble believes the Hammers second half performance against West Brom will give them confidence in the battle to beat the drop.
The east Londoners battled back from three goals down at the Hawthorns to claim a draw against their relegation rivals, thanks to a Demba Ba double and Carlton Cole header.
West Ham were abject in the first half and the hosts could have been four or five goals to the good, before a second half revival from the visitors meant they avoided what would have been a huge loss.
“It was a good second half, but we can’t start the way we did. It wasn’t good enough and we got punished. Credit to the lads, though, because things were said at half time and we showed a bit of pride and didn’t let the away fans who travelled up there down,” Noble said.
You may also want to watch:
“It was a bit of everyone, really, not just the staff, because everyone was so disappointed. Emotions were running high. It isn’t the most ideal result for us, but I’m sure we can pull out a lot of positives from our performance in the second half and go into the next game with some confidence.
“I really don’t know what happened. It was just a collection of loads of things and we got punished. That’s what happens in this league, because no matter where you are in the table, there are quality players out there.”
Most Read
- 1 Hackney people encouraged to shop local for April 12 reopening
- 2 Jailed: Newham men who raped and robbed women in Hackney home
- 3 Hackney's great beer gardens reopening on April 12
- 4 Garden of Lament, Covid, Ramadan, homing cats and Islamophobia
- 5 Community group crowdfunds to turn old Lea valley water depot into wild space
- 6 Hoxton restaurant showcases menus by New City College student chefs
- 7 Campaign to keep Hackney Wick 'alive' with street art
- 8 'I can't wait to buy useless items' when shops reopen after Covid lockdown
- 9 London's emergency services show support for LTNs
- 10 Tote bags help tackle homelessness and addiction
And Noble, who set up two of the goals, was quick to praise the Hammers impressive strike-force.
“The first half, Demba probably didn’t know what to expect in the Premier League. A lot of players don’t. I wouldn’t say he was off the pace, though, because he’s a lot quicker than me!” Noble smiled.
“In the second half, he was fantastic. He won headers, got to the by-line and cross them and managed to get a couple of goals, which was fantastic. Obviously we’re going to need a player like him over the next couple of games.
“Coley has got a busted lip for putting his head where it hurts and Freddie Piquionne came on and was brilliant as well.
“We’ve got to score goals to win games, so if we can do that and not let them in then I’m sure we’ll be fine.”
