Liam Noble on staking a claim
Midfielder Liam Noble returned to the starting line up and the scoresheet on Tuesday night with an all-action display which earned him praise from fans and management team alike.
We spoke to him about his performance and the result on Thursday morning.
“It was just the result we needed,” he said. “We’ve got a bit of a gap from the relegation zone now and we’re looking up the table instead of having to look over our shoulders all the time.
“We went into the dressing room at half time and everyone felt down with the fact we were behind. It was the opposite at full time because the win was just what we needed. We’re all looking forward to Saturday now.”
On getting back into the action, he told us: “I hate being left out of the team. I just want to be playing. I think I did well on Tuesday so hopefully I’ve made my claim for Saturday.
“I loved getting the goal. I haven’t scored in a while, with not being in the team, and it’s always nice to get one. The most important thing from it though was the three points.”
“To be fair, I thought Mills [Lee Miller] had messed it all up with his back heel!” he explained. “I’m sure he was trying to get it straight to me when he did it. Fortunately Danny Redmond spotted me and it was a good pass from him.
“I have to be honest and say I didn’t see the keeper coming out. I decided to take a quick shot and that meant he wasn’t set or ready for it. Luckily it went in. With chances like that you just have to hit the target so I was buzzing when it went over the line.
“I know Mills keeps telling everyone the back heel was intended but I can tell you without doubt it was definitely for me. It was left to Danny to slip me through, which was good.
“Credit to Sam Byrne because he then came on and won it for us. To get the first goal of your career like that is fantastic and we are pleased for him.”
“The best thing about the other night was the second half performance,” he commented. “We battered them and we got the result we deserved. Hopefully that will continue on Saturday.
“In terms of how I played, I thought my first half performance was touch and go. Not everything worked for me and it was a bit frustrating. I was really pleased with my second half. I thought I was back to my best and all I can do is keep my fingers crossed that I will stay in the side.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, he said: “Rotherham are doing well so that will be a tough game. The good thing for us is that their keeper isn’t very good. I’m confident that I’ll notch one past him on Saturday.
“Seriously, though, it’ll be good to see him and it’ll be nice to catch up with him after the game. We have to make sure we’re focused on what we need to do before that and it would be nice to get three in a row again.
“Like I say, we want to be looking at the top half of the table from now on and not the relegation zone.”
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