Noble - 'We're full of belief'

Mark Noble says Saturday's win over Manchester City was a victory for his side's self-belief after goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho took the Hammers to their second victory over UEFA Champions League opposition this season.

The No16 explained that last month's success against Liverpool teed the Londoners up perfectly for the visit of champions City, and their self-confidence was evident.

Three points keeps the Hammers in the top four of the Barclays Premier League table, leaving Noble delighted with the start West Ham have made.

"I said in my pre-match press conference that we're playing well at the minute and we're going to try and win the game," he explained. "We were never going to come to our home, after a great win against Liverpool and with players in our team scoring goals, and not try to win.

"We obviously had a few close shaves - they hit the bar a couple of times - but sometimes you ride your luck and I'm buzzing that we got all three points.

"I think the front pair - Enner and Diafra - and the other players we have signed have given the whole club a lift, because they are hungry and they want to score goals. They also want to work hard for the team, rather than show a bit of brilliance and then not run for 20 minutes.

 

 

"Personally, I hope we will keep on them and not let them get sloppy because they have scored a few goals and all that. I will still be shouting at them on Monday morning and hopefully they will play like this for the rest of the season.

"I will do my bit to make sure they don't stop running. I'll be on them every day to keep them on their toes and so will the manager and Kevin Nolan and hopefully they will keep scoring goals for us.

"Don't get me wrong, every player is due a break at some stage, but you do your hard work first and then you score your goals and that's what they are doing.

"Diafra Sakho keeps on scoring and hopefully that won't stop, while Enner's energy and the way he played against Vincent Kompany was fantastic, and we're going to need that week-in, week-out.

"We came into this season thinking a point out of six against Manchester City would have been acceptable, because they are so good at home that everyone in the league writes that one off, but we played well, got a bit lucky and deserved the win."

Noble says his team's start has given them a healthy base from which to reach their targets for the campaign already.

He added: "I think our goal at the minute is still to finish in the top ten but if you keep winning games like that, then people will expect more from you.

"I'm pretty sure we won't get carried away. There are still loads of games left and we know that there are still loads of points to play for, but we're on 16 points and there is all to play for."