Noble calls on vast experience with simple message to West Ham players

Mark.Noble_.2021.TEAMtalk31

Mark Noble has urged his West Ham team-mates not to get ahead of themselves with the prospect of moving third in the Premier League standings this weekend.

The Hammers travel to St James’ Park on Saturday to take on struggling Newcastle United. With Leicester City in FA Cup semi-final action against Southampton, victory for David Moyes’s side will see them leapfrog the Foxes. It would be another incredible milestone in what is already a landmark campaign for the London Stadium outfit.

From relegation candidates 12 months ago, they are now in with a great chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Having lost to both Manchester clubs, the East End outfit have now taken seven points from their last three outings.

And that could have been nine but for losing a 3-0 lead to Arsenal on March 21. The run-in to the end of the season looks set to be thrilling, with many twists and turns expected.

It is a time for cool heads and Noble has been round for long enough to know how to react. And, when asked about the possibility of going third, the skipper refused to get carried away.

“I didn’t even think of that and, to be honest, that’s not even in my mind at all,” the 33-year-old told the club’s official website. “I’ll just be telling the boys to go out there and carry on doing what we have been doing and trying to get a result.

“We’ve had a couple of great results. Wolves away is a tough place to go and Leicester at home, who have been a joke this season, so it’s been a massive couple of weeks and hopefully we can go there and get another result.”

Noble expecting no Newcastle favours

The Magpies are embroiled in a battle for survival at the other end of the table. Tipped for relegation after a woeful run, they beat Burnley last time out to put distance between themselves and 18th-placed Fulham.

Newcastle v West Ham Match Preview, April 17, 2021

Newcastle v West Ham Match Preview, April 17, 2021

A look ahead to the Premier League game between Newcastle and West Ham, including stats on form, possession, shots, cards, corners, top scorers and previous meetings.

That victory will have given Steve Bruce’s men a shot in the arm. Noble made his 400th Premier League appearances against the Clarets.

And the veteran is excepting nothing but a full-blooded encounter on Tyneside.

Moyes.West_.Ham_.TEAMtalk

“Listen, it’s going to be a tough game. They’re fighting for their lives and we’re obviously fighting for a different sort of achievement,” he added. “Newcastle are a good side, they’re well organised and they’ve got some good players, so it’ll be another tough assignment. They all are, to be fair.”

READ MORE: Lingard uneasy as agents step forward with stern Man Utd transfer warning