Kevin Nolan is desperate to see West Ham captain Mark Noble start against London rivals Tottenham.
Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble.
Kevin Nolan believes Slaven Bilic must start West Ham captain Mark Noble if the Hammers are to have any chance of pulling off an upset against Tottenham on Wednesday night.
Bilic’s stuttering side travel across the capital to face Spurs at Wembley on Wednesday evening, as both sides aim to book their place in the quarter finals of the Carabao Cup.
Noble, 30, has been left on the substitutes’ bench for West Ham’s last two outings, failing to be brought on as a substitute during the 1-1 draw against Burnley and the disappointing 3-0 loss to Brighton.
Bilic has dropped Noble.
Former West Ham captain Nolan, who is currently the player-manager of League Two side Notts County, told West Ham’s official website that he believes Noble’s passion is just what Bilic needs against Tottenham.
“Mark’s a great character and he’s a great lad. For me, he’s what West Ham need. West Ham need those sorts of players, especially heading into a game like Tottenham away,” Nolan said.
“Mark Noble wears his heart on his sleeve and loves West Ham. He’s a West Ham boy through and through, and for me he’s the perfect fit for the Club and the captaincy and the way West Ham play.”
Noble celebrating West Ham’s 1-0 victory over Spurs in May.
With 413 appearances in both league and cup for West Ham since his debut for the east London outfit back in 2005, Noble’s know how could be key into securing an unlikely victory that would ease the pressure on under-fire boss Bilic.
The former Besiktas and Croatia manager will be hoping that his side can build on their narrow 3-2 loss to Mauricio Pochettino’s side in September, which saw Javier Hernandez and Cheikhou Kouyate find the back of the net.
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