Mark Noble celebrates his 20th birthday tomorrow - and
Premiership survival with West Ham United would be the perfect
gift.
In his last game as a teenager, the young midfielder certainly proved that he has come of age this season, with a mature performance and stunning goal in our 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, and now the local-born hero is determined to go one better at Old Trafford in the final game of the season.
"It was a massive win for us," says Mark. "We knew it was the most important game of the season and the boys responded. We've done everything we can now and it's just one last push needed against Manchester United next week.
"It was a great free kick from Tev - I really fancied him to score it - and it set us on our way to the victory It was a fantastic passing move for the second and then I managed to top it off with a nice cheeky volley at the back post!
"It was uncharacteristic for me, I normally let Nige run on into the penalty area while I hold back, but this time I got in there and it was a great feeling to hit the strike so well.
"If you have a look in the archives, Carlos has set up all of my goals so far - he headed it back for me against Brighton, chested it down against Tottenham and then picked me out on Saturday - so I certainly don't want him to leave!"
And looking ahead to Sunday's decisive encounter against Manchester United, Mark admits that Hammers will travelling to the home of the champions determined to ensure that their destiny remains in their own hands throughout what is likely to be a nail-biting afternoon.
"We're in good form at the minute, we've scored a few goals, so there is no reason why we can't get something," he says. "We need to go there and set our stall out right from the word go.
"Hopefully we can nick a point or all three and, if we do, it will be a lovely journey home. Everyone is focused on producing one more performance, and
In his last game as a teenager, the young midfielder certainly proved that he has come of age this season, with a mature performance and stunning goal in our 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, and now the local-born hero is determined to go one better at Old Trafford in the final game of the season.
"It was a massive win for us," says Mark. "We knew it was the most important game of the season and the boys responded. We've done everything we can now and it's just one last push needed against Manchester United next week.
"It was a great free kick from Tev - I really fancied him to score it - and it set us on our way to the victory It was a fantastic passing move for the second and then I managed to top it off with a nice cheeky volley at the back post!
"It was uncharacteristic for me, I normally let Nige run on into the penalty area while I hold back, but this time I got in there and it was a great feeling to hit the strike so well.
"If you have a look in the archives, Carlos has set up all of my goals so far - he headed it back for me against Brighton, chested it down against Tottenham and then picked me out on Saturday - so I certainly don't want him to leave!"
And looking ahead to Sunday's decisive encounter against Manchester United, Mark admits that Hammers will travelling to the home of the champions determined to ensure that their destiny remains in their own hands throughout what is likely to be a nail-biting afternoon.
"We're in good form at the minute, we've scored a few goals, so there is no reason why we can't get something," he says. "We need to go there and set our stall out right from the word go.
"Hopefully we can nick a point or all three and, if we do, it will be a lovely journey home. Everyone is focused on producing one more performance, and