
Pie and mash and a parsley sauce called liquor was first served in the 1860s in Victorian London. It seems as if Mark Noble has been playing for West Ham almost that long.

As with all local players who feel the highs and lows of the dressing room more than most, Noble has gone through it this season. He is still only 30, although there were times earlier in this campaign when he carried such a burden that he looked older.

Now he looks as fresh as a daisy again, he is enjoying his football and, under manager David Moyes, the team is 11th and play Bournemouth at home on Saturday.

So it was in Brentwood, Essex, at Konch's Kafe (owned by former West Ham and England defender Paul Konchesky) that JAMIE REDKNAPP caught up with the West Ham captain this week. LEE CLAYTON listened in and tucked into the excellent pie and mash.

Sportsmail's Jamie Redknapp (left) interviews West Ham captain Mark Noble at Konch's Kafe in Brentwood, Essex

The pair chatted over East End speciality pie, mash and liquor as the Hammers skipper opened up on the season so far

Redknapp: That was your 49th goal for West Ham in the 4-1 win at Huddersfield, but what was that celebration about and will you have something special for your 50th?

Noble: No! I'm not into all that. I just scored and, because I was the furthest up the pitch and because the crowd are quite close at Huddersfield, I got there quickly and there was nobody with me. So I just folded my arms. I didn't know what else to do!

Redknapp: It was good to see you smiling, but it hasn't always been that way. It's almost like you've had a whole career in one season. It started badly and the new signings didn't settle quickly, either.

Noble: You have to hit the ground running at West Ham. If you don't, suddenly from the fans it's, 'You're not good enough to play for our football club'. Even Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano had that when they were here.

That's what it is like. You can win them over, though. When you do, the West Ham fans can make you feel like you are the best player in the world. But they will not give that to you. You have to earn it.

Noble celebrates his 49th goal for West Ham - in last Saturday's 4-1 win at Huddersfield - by folding his arms in celebration

Noble was at the forefront of an impressive performance in west Yorkshire as their good form under David Moyes continued

Redknapp: Like Marko Arnautovic. Did you speak to him?

Noble: Yes, of course. I'm the captain. It's my job. I spent a lot of time on the phone with Marko. I'm not taking any credit for his turn-around because he has done that. He's a top player. He's won them over.

His work-rate is incredible. If you know Marko, he talks a lot, he has his swagger, but he's such a nice fella. I used to row with him when we played Stoke.

We were losing and he was rolling his foot across the ball, doing the rabonas, the lot. I wiped him out on purpose and then I pulled him up by his hair. He stood up… he looked about 6ft 5in! I was like a 12-year-old next to him.

We joke about it now. Like Manuel Lanzini, these are the players who make a difference. They are such good players. They are on the same wavelength, like Silva and De Bruyne at Man City, Ozil and Sanchez at Arsenal.

Redknapp: You lost Payet last season. That left a hangover.

Noble: Technically incredible, the moments he gave us all in that last season at the Boleyn, incredible. He made everyone a better player. When you don't have that player, of course it leaves a hole.

Noble celebrates with Dimitri Payet after scoring in West Ham's 3-1 win over Watford at the Boleyn Ground in April 2016

The Hammers captain touches the badge after helping his side to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield in December 2016

Redknapp: You had a lot of respect for Slaven Bilic, but sometimes you need a change, a different voice.

Noble: We had two and a half unbelievable seasons together and he is a proper gentleman. I wanted it to work for him so much.

I was trying so much, I was getting myself out of position because I wanted to make things happen. I was over-trying. But we all know what happens if you don't win games.

Redknapp: David Moyes has come in and done a good job. What was the feeling when he got the job?

Noble: Sorry if this sounds like a cliche, but we really needed to get back to basics. We needed to defend. To stop conceding and be organised.

We had a meeting, we talked it through. He said: 'Don't moan at me in two months' time if we spend time working on shape, on being organised'. I think you can see the benefits of that.

Slaven Bilic was sacked by West Ham at the beginning of November with the club mired in the Premier League relegation zone

David Moyes came in as the new manager with a back to basics approach and West Ham have since risen to 11th in the table

Redknapp: I hate it when new managers say a team isn't fit. But you looked off the pace.

Noble: We were fit. Unless you are a terrible professional, you are fit. But there is a next level of Premier League fitness.

I watch a lot of football and you hardly ever see Premier League players go down with cramp. The fitness, the intensity of Premier League football is phenomenal.

If eight of you are on it, you lose. You need all of you, every one of you, on it. If you are not, this manager will tell you.

His communication is excellent, consistent. The players know. His attention to detail is first class. And he has a good squad to work with here. Professionals, players with skill, athletes…

Redknapp: The team look in good shape. There was a period of time when that wasn't the case.

Noble: That all comes because of confidence within the team. You're right. We were all over the place. You know the feeling when you come off and you think, 'I couldn't even get close enough today to make a tackle'.

The ball moves so quick in this league. When it comes naturally, it works, but when you have to take a touch and then think, it's gone.

I use the example of Fernando Torres. At Liverpool, unplayable. He goes to Chelsea, it's the same geezer, same athlete, same person, but the confidence is gone and it's different.

When you've played well, it's like auto-pilot. When you are not doing that, your head feels like it will explode.

Noble speaks with Redknapp and Daily Mail Head of Sport Lee Clayton during the interview at Konch's Kafe

Noble slides in to challenge Victor Moses during last season's Premier League meeting with Chelsea at the London Stadium

Redknapp: Do you feel it more because you are the local boy?

Noble: I hate for people to think that I have only played for West Ham because I am the local lad and people make allowances for me.

So every day, I work hard. I was 12, I think, when I used to watch Frank Lampard putting his spikes on and doing sprints at the training ground.

And then me and my mate, we'd take a bus from East London to Essex, take our own ball, play for five or six hours, just messing around with the ball.

I remember seeing Paolo Di Canio coming in on a day off with his own fitness coach… those memories stay with me. The hunger of those players to be the best.

I still get nervous before every single training session. Even now. No word of a lie. It will never change. It's inside me. I want to be the best player in training every day.

When we get to the 5-a-side, I want to be the best player there. I'm honest enough to know that might not always happen!

When you have players like Manuel, Marko, Dimitri Payet, Carlos Tevez, that is not going to happen because they are the best.

Noble celebrates with Carlos Tevez after scoring West Ham's final goal in a 3-1 win over Bolton Wanderers back in 2007

Redknapp: It's not easier for you, it's harder for you. You carry the weight of expectation of the fans. You are one of them.

Noble: I have an inner desire. You've got to have the ability, but 90 per cent of the game now at the top level is the mental side. Coping with being booed, dealing with not winning every week and the impact it has on you.

Jamie, I was thinking about this the other day. In my career, adding up the days I have actually enjoyed it between the ages of 17 and 30, they total about six months. I'll be honest and say that. Out of 13 years.

I've had some unbelievable times, but the week-to-week games, if we don't win… it ruins me. If we do win, I spend the next week worrying about how we can win again. I've never been able to relax and enjoy it. I have a fear of failure.

My wife, Carley, will say that I have to relax a bit. It has changed a little since we've had the kids, but you worry about the results, you care about how you play. You feel it because it's your club.

The thing I will never do here is hide from that. I am doing what I always wanted to do. I am captain of West Ham. It means everything to me.

The cafe in Brentwood, owned by former West Ham player Paul Konchesky, is packed with club memorabilia

The menu at Konch's Kafe features breakfast and lunch options, including pie 'n' mash and jellied eels

Redknapp: Who are the best you have played with in your time here?

Noble: Teddy Sheringham was amazing. You would give him the ball and his pass back was so good, it didn't just come to feet, it hit the middle stripe of your adidas boot!

Carlos Tevez came in and I scored six goals — he set up all six! And then there was Payet. On the field, in training, he was so good.

Redknapp: West Ham could be busy in this transfer window… does that bother you?

Noble: I want West Ham to buy the best players. I want them to spend £50million on a central midfielder. Yeah. bring it on.

I want West Ham to do well. For the fans, the chef, for Shirley in the kitchen, who was here when your dad was manager, for Jimmy Frith who comes in to help the coaches every day, keeps things ticking over and has been doing so since John Lyall brought him in.

I've known these people since I first came to the club. I want the very best for this club. I make sure, out of the players' bonus, every staff member shares in that bonus. We can't do it without them.

Noble cuts a happy and relaxed figure as he reflects on West Ham's recent improvement since David Moyes took over

Noble pictured in training ahead of West Ham's home Premier League meeting with Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon

Redknapp: When I hear you talking about what the club means to you, it sounds like you might want to be the manager here one day.

Noble: I'm really not convinced I want to be a manager at all. Managers are just wide open to abuse.

I was managed by Gianfranco Zola, who played at the highest level. No matter how good he was as a player, lose three games and it's 'get him out'. Do I need that? You don't!

Alan Shearer had one go at Newcastle, got relegated and thought he'd sit and comment on the TV, like you. When the Nottingham Forest job came up they had 75 applicants.

Teddy Sheringham gets one go at Stevenage and now he's managing in India. That's Teddy, one of the top players.

Redknapp: Finally, the pie and mash… it's good. My dad loves it. The full works. Jellied eels. But you can't have too much of it, us athletes!

Noble: I have the pie, the liquor, but no mash. My dad has it once a week, I have to keep it to the occasional treat.

We've beaten Huddersfield 4-1, we're through to the fourth round of the FA Cup, but we have to be at it every game — three of the bottom 11 can still go down. We have to make sure we are not in that group.

Jamie, you invited me, how could I say no?