Mark Noble

**CraftyToePoke** · 26/10/2010, 12:42 AM

I'd also be surprised if this one were true, and its a tricky one if it is, he was the fulcrum of Englands midfield at under 21 level until recently and although there was an awareness of him qualifying to represent us, I never got the feeling it was in any way likely that he would switch. Apart form that, he was long spoken of as a guy who would graduate to the full England side in time.

Has his career stalled to the extent that he has given up on playing for England? I'd doubt it, my feeling is its still a possibility, so therefore, why switch now? And as usual in these cases, would we want him if thats the only motivation to switch? Unless of course his green roots were far stronger than revealed up to now, but in those circumstances, why not declare earlier?

Does anyone know how exactly he qualifies for us? Thats key for me here, if there turns out to be substance to this.

But in purely footballing terms, he would go straight in our 11, never mind our squad, a lovely footballer, and reassuring in a way if Trap is agressively pursuing these options, as it means he doesnt want to see a guy as plainly willing but outclassed at the level as Green has been any more than we do, I'd hope.

**DannyInvincible** · 26/10/2010, 1:42 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

would be gobsmacked if this was true. I rememeber seeing pics of him in tears when England u21s were beaten in the Euros few years ago. He always came across as being very very english

Being English wouldn't necessarily cancel out any Irish ancestry he might also have.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 26/10/2010, 1:48 AM

Would be surprised if he's eligible and amazed if he declared, based purely on my W.Ham mate who's 'rank' Ingerland but knows his stuff.

According to a link on Wikipedia, he is eligible, based on a report in the Lancs Evening Post last year....along with Preston's Andy Lonergan and two fellows by the name of Nolan & O'Hara!!

**Paddy Garcia** · 26/10/2010, 9:05 AM

Well Lonergan was in an Irish underage squad, so there is a reasonable chance he is eligible.

**TrapAPony** · 26/10/2010, 12:24 PM

drummerboy, what's your source?

**drummerboy** · 26/10/2010, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

drummerboy, what's your source?

I can't tell you who it was, but trust me its very reliable

**CraftyToePoke** · 26/10/2010, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

I can't tell you who it was, but trust me its very reliable

I appreciate that, but is there any more detail you could provide without compromising the source? for example, the reasoning behind the switch? When this was instigted and when we may expect to see something official? Who pursued who, I mean did Noble make first contact ?

also, how exactly does he qualify?

**Scooby Doo** · 26/10/2010, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

I can't tell you who it was, but trust me its very reliable

So given your confidence in your source DB, do you reckon that we might hear some news in the coming days/weeks? Or do you think that its still at bit up in the air? Cheers.

**paul_oshea** · 26/10/2010, 1:12 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd be very surprised if this is true. He scored twice against us in Cork I think. Very good player, but this one wouldn't sit too well with me. Just instinct, not a rational argument really. Clark's "lineage" is very Irish, I think Noble's is a bit along the Andy Townsend lines.

Funny, I just met a bloke from Walkinstown in Whitstable, Kent, where I'm spending a few days. Our kids were in the local playground. His 5 year old is a good ball player and wants to play for England despite waering an Irish track suit top. I nearly put in a hard tackle on him but thought against it.

That second part made me laugh stutts, is the first part a result of the second part in this case?

**drummerboy** · 26/10/2010, 2:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

So given your confidence in your source DB, do you reckon that we might hear some news in the coming days/weeks? Or do you think that its still at bit up in the air? Cheers.

Not sure why it hasn't already been announced unless they are waiting for the next squad announcement.

**Stuttgart88** · 26/10/2010, 2:52 PM

I know, but at least Green hadn't been a regular star performer for another country. In fairness to Green, he was very close to his Irish grandfather who I believe was instrumental in getting him involved with us.

**Sullivinho** · 26/10/2010, 3:02 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Not sure why it hasn't already been announced unless they are waiting for the next squad announcement.

Paperwork sorted and everything? Fair play to your source but I don't think I'll fully believe this until it's officially announced.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 26/10/2010, 3:05 PM

As I said above, merits a sentence on Wikipedia. Whatever that means.

**rebelmusic** · 26/10/2010, 3:26 PM

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/...public_1_93761

**SkStu** · 26/10/2010, 6:04 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

As I said above, merits a sentence on Wikipedia. Whatever that means.

surely that is the reliable source Drummerboy is talking about.

**FarBeag** · 26/10/2010, 7:37 PM

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=124939

**CraftyToePoke** · 26/10/2010, 7:58 PM

Originally Posted by FarBeag

http://www.kumb.com/story.php?id=124939

Easy now, easy now..

when this appeared on here earlier today, I registered on that site and asked the happy hammers if they knew about it, and what they thought of it.

thread here http://www.kumb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=126459

now an article appears on the same site written on the same day ??!! it even uses the Mark O'Noble quip one of the aforementioned happy hammers used in a classic piece of cheeky cocnkey banterage.

so this is how easy it is to start rumours? interesting.

who should we do next?