After a stuttering start to his loan spell at Hull City,
Mark Noble says he is now starting to feel the benefit of
experiencing a new footballing environment.
The young Hammers midfielder headed up to Humberside last month on a temporary deal and, after impressing in a 3-2 defeat against Wolves in his second Championship appearance for the Tigers on Saturday, is now beginning to adjust to his new surroundings and enjoy regular first team football again.
"Things are going well," says Mark. "I suffered a slight back injury on my first day at training up there, so it wasn't the best of starts, but thankfully it settled down after a few days and I was able to play my first game against Cardiff.
"We lost 1-0 but I enjoyed the actual game and it was just nice to be playing first-team football again, and feel the buzz of playing in front of a big crowd. Hull have been going through a bit of a tough time recently but there is a lot of spirit in the squad and the performances haven't been that bad.
"I think we're nine points clear of the relegation zone at the moment, so it's just a case of trying to get a few more wins on the board and hopefully lift ourselves towards the top half of the table."
Speaking to whufc.com from his hotel room on the outskirts of Hull, the 18-year-old admits that the move provided a slight culture shock at first. A true Cockney lad, he is more used to the hustle and bustle of life in east London, but is determined to make his experience in the north a positive one.
"I must admit, it's taken a bit of time to settle in," he says. "I'm on my own up here and, although I've got my car to get about in, there isn't much to do in the afternoon and I spend most of my time at the hotel.
"I didn't know any of the players when I arrived, so I'm still getting to know all the lads, but they've made me feel welcome and it's been a good experience to play for Peter Taylor, who is an excellent coach.
"I'm looking at the whole move as a positive experience and I'm hoping that it will help me mature as a player and as a person. Initially, I'm here for a month, but there is obviously a possibility that I could be here longer. If things are going well and Alan Pardew is happy for me to keep playing here, then I will probably stay to the end of the season."
Having enjoyed an introduction to the Premiership when he stepped in for the injured Nigel Reo-Coker back in November and performed well against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, Mark is understandably keen to continue his progress in the top flight, but agrees that there is no need to rush his development.
"Obviously my aim is to get back to West Ham and be involved with the first team again," he says. "I've had a taste of it already this season, but the lads have been playing so well and it has been difficult for me to hold down a regular place.
"I'm positive about the situation, though, because I know I've got a lot of time on my side and I'm confident that I'll come back to West Ham and prove I can play regularly in the Premiership.
"Hopefully, I can make a bit of an impact up here before the end of the season and persuade Alan Pardew that I should be a part of his first-team plans when we come back for pre-season in the summer."
The young Hammers midfielder headed up to Humberside last month on a temporary deal and, after impressing in a 3-2 defeat against Wolves in his second Championship appearance for the Tigers on Saturday, is now beginning to adjust to his new surroundings and enjoy regular first team football again.
"Things are going well," says Mark. "I suffered a slight back injury on my first day at training up there, so it wasn't the best of starts, but thankfully it settled down after a few days and I was able to play my first game against Cardiff.
"We lost 1-0 but I enjoyed the actual game and it was just nice to be playing first-team football again, and feel the buzz of playing in front of a big crowd. Hull have been going through a bit of a tough time recently but there is a lot of spirit in the squad and the performances haven't been that bad.
"I think we're nine points clear of the relegation zone at the moment, so it's just a case of trying to get a few more wins on the board and hopefully lift ourselves towards the top half of the table."
Speaking to whufc.com from his hotel room on the outskirts of Hull, the 18-year-old admits that the move provided a slight culture shock at first. A true Cockney lad, he is more used to the hustle and bustle of life in east London, but is determined to make his experience in the north a positive one.
"I must admit, it's taken a bit of time to settle in," he says. "I'm on my own up here and, although I've got my car to get about in, there isn't much to do in the afternoon and I spend most of my time at the hotel.
"I didn't know any of the players when I arrived, so I'm still getting to know all the lads, but they've made me feel welcome and it's been a good experience to play for Peter Taylor, who is an excellent coach.
"I'm looking at the whole move as a positive experience and I'm hoping that it will help me mature as a player and as a person. Initially, I'm here for a month, but there is obviously a possibility that I could be here longer. If things are going well and Alan Pardew is happy for me to keep playing here, then I will probably stay to the end of the season."
Having enjoyed an introduction to the Premiership when he stepped in for the injured Nigel Reo-Coker back in November and performed well against the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, Mark is understandably keen to continue his progress in the top flight, but agrees that there is no need to rush his development.
"Obviously my aim is to get back to West Ham and be involved with the first team again," he says. "I've had a taste of it already this season, but the lads have been playing so well and it has been difficult for me to hold down a regular place.
"I'm positive about the situation, though, because I know I've got a lot of time on my side and I'm confident that I'll come back to West Ham and prove I can play regularly in the Premiership.
"Hopefully, I can make a bit of an impact up here before the end of the season and persuade Alan Pardew that I should be a part of his first-team plans when we come back for pre-season in the summer."