Mark Patient

Mark Noble knows he has to be patient as he waits for his first team debut - and says he doesn't mind waiting to do that next season with West Ham in the Premiership...

Mark came close to coming on a couple of months ago, and he recalls:

"I was on the bench against in the FA cup tie against Wolves at Molineux, and I have been in the squad quite a few times, so I am over the moon with that as a 16 year old.

"I was itching to get on against Wolves - I badly wanted to play.

"The gaffer said 'warm up' but I think it wasn't the right time because they got a few corners right near the end - so I will have to be patient."

How did he find being part of the first team setup?

"The build-up is different and it is very serious because everything is at stake," he says.

"You have got to win to climb the table and get points, and it is a tense changing room with everything built up - whereas in the U17s and U19s everything is about development."

Mark recently played against Iceland, Armenia, and Norway in the UEFA U17 European Championships Second Qualifying Round, and he says:

"Things are going really well; I just want to get on with the football after I got a knock on the head in the last England game - and I want to get fit for the tournament in May.

"I am just going to keep working hard and keep doing the best I can."

Mark scored against Armenia, and remembers:

"I made a run to the 18 yard box, played a one-two, and got brought down.

"I took the ball off the penalty taker, Shane Paul of Aston Villa, and I don't think he was too happy - but at least I scored!"

He is looking to build himself up for the rigours of senior football, and adds:

"I have been doing weights lately to build myself up, and hopefully I can try and get a look-in next year.

"I will keep working hard to do the best I can, and keep putting in the performances in for the reserves and the U19s to see how it goes from there."

The aim is to follow in the footsteps of Chris Cohen, a year older, who has made the breakthrough into the first team.

Indeed Chris would have been playing alongside him for England had he not been in the first team squad for West Ham.

"I am happy for him, of course I am, for whatever he does," says Mark.

"He has done well this year, coming on - and I am over the moon about that for him.

"I have just got to work hard, and hopefully get there soon myself."

The pair even look similar...

"Who said that? He must be good looking then," smiles Mark.

As for the chances of promotion, Mark remains optimistic, and concludes:

"We have got to win a few to get our confidence back and then get into the Premiership - it would be brilliant to make my debut there!"