Noble: Grit is keeping us on road to Europe

Mark Noble believes West Ham's doggedness is the reason for 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 earlier this season.

With striker Carlton Cole soon 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: "I am not worried but Fulham beating Man United was a great result for them and Spurs are coming back now.

"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, and with Carlton Cole back, I think we can carry on and I am sure that we will sit firmly in seventh."