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LAF 7:48 Wed Jul 31
Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Seems to have been a running theme for a couple of seasons now about his place in the team and yet, our captain is still there in the mix. I would accept our manager resting him from time to time, pulling him after 70 mins or so, or not picking him for tactical reasons on occasions, but, for me, he still brings something to the team - leadership. We can’t have a midfield full of your Lanzinis, Declans, Andersons or Wilshires - and Noble is still an important component who has a role to play out there on the park. Takes a stonking pen too. So, for me, despite lacking particular talents of some in the squad, I’d still have him in my first eleven more often than not. Thoughts?

Takashi Miike 8:08 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

before the last three friendlies I wanted us to play a 4-1-4-1 with the midfield being rice behind yarmo/antonio, fornals, lanzini & anderson but I think that would leave us very exposed so either lanzini or fornals misses out, and noble partners rice until we have a better option

D Scully (eire) 9:09 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Id like same midfield and attack as today with Noble in and Wilshere out

Hammer and Pickle 9:14 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Being able to rotate Noble and Wilshire so both stay fit is going to make us a force to be reckoned with this season.

factory seconds 9:24 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

him and wilshere is a coin toss really. both are brilliant at picking out a runner from deep, neither have any pace, wilshere is a better dribbler while noble adds a bit of leadership and has more nous about him.

i don't think either are 100% fit for purpose as the water carrier between rice and the front four and we'll get scythed through by direct runners as always, but we should have a boatload of goals up front.

can't wait for a week after the man city game for the season to start in earnest.

gph 9:24 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Most of the time, yes.

Wouldn't be surprised if I'm of the same opinion next year.

Any longer might be pushing it.

13 Brentford Rd 9:27 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

We'll set up differently home & away and against the top sides (I hope) Also he'll get plenty of game time as Wilshire surely won't play every game. At the moment though if it's Noble or Wilshire it's got to Wilshire.

arsene york-hunt 10:05 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

I will predict now that he will have his best ever season. With all these quality players surrounding him his passing game will improve.

mallard 10:09 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Is there any possibility an improved Sanchez could keep him out ?

geoffpikey 10:16 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Yes.

Sanchez as replacement on 68 minutes. It's not ideal.

MaryMillingtonsGhost 11:04 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Hammer and Pickle 9:14

Not entirely sure of the 'force to be reckoned with' statement, but agree with the rotation aspect.

Any Old Iron 11:07 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Mark Noble and Michail Antonio would be my first picks for midfield, along with Rice of course. The rest of the fancy Dan foreigners can fight it out among themselves for the other places.

geoffpikey 11:43 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

AOI,

Antonio is not exactly a "midfielder"! He's a " wingback" as per common parlance. I'd be terrified to put him in the middle.

Happy to have him as emergency CF, as well. He can cause havoc. Albeit hit and miss.

Been saying for months: we are shockingly light in the middle, with Noble ageing. Unless Sanchez (even older!) suddenly becomes a genius.

geoffpikey 11:49 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Wingback/winger whatever. I like Antonio, but he's not going to be any help to Rice or Noble in the centre. He's not nimble enough.

He should be bombing down the flanks. That's what he's good at.

Apologies for lack of clarity earlier.

Any Old Iron 11:50 Wed Jul 31
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Bollox, Antonio is a roving winger. He only became a wingback during Bilic's disatrous experiment when it was self-evident that he couldn't defend..

geoffpikey 1:39 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Yep, a roving winger.

So why are you suggesting he starts in midfield with Noble?

Fifth Column 1:50 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

I think that today seems to show we really need another CM with pace. If we don't buy one then playing WIlshire alongside Rice won't work... and that means we put Noble in because who else is there?

claret on my shirt 2:26 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

There is a hilarious assumption on this thread Wiltshire is going to play quite alot of games. Maybe FIFA from the treatment room!

Manuel 3:55 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

Some have been predicting for years that Noble's time is up as a starter and have always been wrong, but this season may finally be the one where he is just going to be a squad player. Just can't see him getting in front of Wilshere right now, and they won't both play.

Of course, once the injuries kick in he'll be back to being on of the first players on teamsheet.

Alfs 4:18 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

I have a feeling that this could be Nobe's last year and he'll go to a backroom role with an eye to managing us in the future. I can't see him dropping down a level to prolong his career or going to bloody China. He's claret and blue through and through.

Nailed on HotY if my prediction comes true - so lump on.

Lily Hammer 4:52 Thu Aug 1
Re: Noble: does he make your first eleven?

The only thing Noble lacks is pace, but he’s never had that. He has more experience than ever. He is still the only true captain we have. He can’t last forever, but I still think he has essential things to offer, perhaps key things. For this coming season, almost certainly, and as gph said, maybe even next season.

He’s our Pirlo, which means he might go for some time, considering how fit he is and always has been.

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