Source: Daily_Mail
True grit can keep West Ham on course for Europe, says Mark Noble
Mark Noble believes West Ham's doggedness is the reason behind their surge up the table.
The Hammers midfielder marked his 100th appearance for the club with a fine goal to open the scoring against Blackburn
at Ewood Park.
But after Keith Andrews equalised for the hosts, Gianfranco Zola's side had to deal with a 40-minute barrage of high balls into their box.
Even without England man Matthew Upson, they repelled everything with Lucas Neill and youngster James Tomkins both outstanding in the 1-1 draw.
It was the kind of stubborn display that is not normally associated with the Hammers and Noble admits that they might have imploded under such pressure even earlier this season.
They have lost just five away matches but with Carlton Cole back from suspension, Noble thinks Zola's men will be able to fight off Fulham and Spurs to keep hold of seventh place and possible European football next season.
The 21-year-old said: 'We have a lot of problems with injuries. We are battling hard and picking up points and maybe six months ago we would have lost that game. So it shows that we are determined and we can score goals and get points.
'If we play the way we are, Carlton Cole will be back next time which is important, and if we can carry on I am sure that we will sit firmly in seventh.'
Also famed for his flair, the increasingly mean attitude of his team has also been noted by Zola.
He said: 'Players like Scott Parker and Lucas Neill, they really have passion for what they're doing and they really care.
'They gave everything and that's making the difference between this team and the past.'
Another bonus for Zola was an impressive 10-minute cameo from Kieron Dyer at Ewood Park .
The midfielder, 30, has been out since January with a calf problem and has made just four Premier League appearances since joining the Hammers from Newcastle in the summer of 2007.
Zola is hoping to be able to give Dyer longer against Sunderland and feels he can have a considerable impact.
He added: 'He was brilliant and I'm very pleased for him because he's a player who can make a big difference.
'He played for 10 minutes but he will have two weeks to prepare properly and might play a little bit more. It is important to have him back.'
