Mark Noble’s England credentials splits opinions amongst West Ham fans all over.
Some believe he has done enough over the years to warrant a call up to the England squad, others insist he has never been good enough to don the precious Three Lions jersey.
Noble captained England at U21 level and has been ever present in West Ham’s first team for about eight or nine years now. He’s a consistent performer and a player who has immensely matured over the years, mostly thanks to playing with the likes of Scott Parker and Kevin Nolan.
Yet he still gets overlooked by England managers. Many will claim it’s because that he doesn’t play for a top four club and, as sad as it sounds, you kind of have to agree with them.
For as long as Tom Cleverley is being picked for England, you have to believe there’s a ‘big club’ mentality going on with England managers and the FA.
Today saw Jack Colback and Fabian Delph get their first ever England call ups. Delph had a good season with Villa last season, fair enough, but then why wasn’t he picked to go to the World Cup ahead of the ageing and ineffective Frank Lampard.
Colback is, well, Colback. There’s nothing about him that stands out to me and warrants an England call up, and he has only just moved to Newcastle. Did that get him the England move? Well, you just have to wonder, don’t you.
Below are some stats that compare Noble with Colback and Delph from last season. Take a look and then ask yourself this: What on earth is Roy Hodgson doing?
