Following West Ham midweek’s famous 3-2 comeback victory against Tottenham, a fan took to Twitter to claim Hammers captain Mark Noble is the modern day David Batty.
Noble has been a consistent name on the West Ham team sheet for the past decade, but has never been called up to the England squad, and might never be given that he’s now past his prime.
Former Sheffield United star Curtis Woodhouse tweeted following the Hammers-Spurs clash: “Noble just passes it square and backwards and runs around a bit. Some West Ham fans said noble for England ya know!! Top banter”
Noble just passes it square and backwards and runs around a bit. Some West Ham fans said noble for England ya know!! Top banter ??⚽️⚽️
— Curtis Woodhouse (@curtiswoodhous8) October 25, 2017
It prompted the aforementioned comparison from a West Ham fan in form of a reply, leading Woodhouse to rebut: “David Batty was so much better than Mark Noble. In today’s market David Batty goes for 50 million quid. Top top player”
David Batty was so much better than Mark Noble. In today’s market David Batty goes for 50 million quid. Top top player https://t.co/KjF0uTX9NW
— Curtis Woodhouse (@curtiswoodhous8) October 25, 2017
Batty helped both Leeds United and Blackburn Rovers to the league title, while also reaching the semifinals of the Champions League with the former.
The legendary midfielder also played for England at the UEFA Euro 1992 and the 1998 World Cup, going on to cement his legendary status with lots of impressive displays for clubs and country.
While Noble has been impressive for the Hammers, he’s far from a modern day David Batt, and at 30, it doesn’t appear he has enough time to become one.
However, he will be considered a West Ham legend once he hangs his boots.
