Mark of respect for Joel
Rivals now doubling up on Livi ace but he is rising to challenge
JOEL NOUBLE says learning to live with being a marked man has been a challenge.
The feared forward’s form this season has made rivals resort to handing two players the job of stopping him.
Even that might not be enough to prevent Nouble from wreaking his own brand of havoc.
He’s shrugging off the attention by grabbing goals to help Livingston remain in top-six contention.
But he admits he’s not always comfortable with the accolade that teams are taking extra measures to limit his effectiveness.
The English attacker said: “My game has improved all-round and I feel like I’m probably hard to deal with.
“It’s a bit of a compliment teams are thinking, ‘We’ve got to stop the ball getting to him’.
“I’m getting doubled and picked up more from the opposition this season so things like making better decisions on the ball is where I must improve.
“When I came back from my loan at Arbroath last season, nobody in the Premiership knew who I was or thought, ‘Oh, he’s only played in the Championship’.
“So I was getting a lot of one v ones and I was thinking, ‘I’m going to have a field day here every week!’
“This season, though, it’s rare. It’s a challenge and it can be frustrating but I must be doing something right for teams to try and double.
“Some games, I can go through a spell where I don’t touch the ball for 10-15 minutes — and that’s too long. I always like to be involved but I’m a team player. I’m used to it now.”
Nouble reveals he’s also found it tough to get any change out of referees now he’s considered one of the league’s danger men.
The 27-year-old’s physique helps him win plenty of duels. Yet that can be a curse because, when he’s victim of a foul, some refs are in no rush to blow as they expect him to be able to handle himself.
Nouble said: “I had a conversation with the ref (Willie Collum) after (Keith) Watson jumped with two arms on my shoulder but he said, ‘You’re a big lad’.
“But what does that mean? So if I’m shorter he’ll give a foul? I hate that line, it doesn’t make sense.
“And when I do go down they’ll say, well, I’m a big lad and should deal with it. So what am I meant to do?
“It’s frustrating but I’m used to it. Players will grab and kick me. I must be one of the most fouled players in the league because it happens every game.”
Nouble’s strength and subtlety were on show as he sent Livi on the way to a huge win over the Staggies.
He towered over Connor Randall to meet James Penrice’s terrific delivery with a cushioned header that floated up and over the reach of Ross Laidlaw.
That sixth goal of the season was quickly followed by Nicky Devlin firing in from the edge of the box.
Both scorers have been touted for moves by their own boss but remain fully focused on trying to secure their club a top-half berth.
David Martindale said earlier in the season that he’d turn Nouble into a £1million player.
With the forward’s contract extended to 2024 after the club triggered a clause, Nouble’s admirers will certainly need to pay this summer if they’re serious.
Nouble’s stock has soared since he signed from Aldershot Town in summer 2021 and was sent out on loan to Arbroath.
He said: “When I initially signed I didn’t know how I was going to do.
“From their point of view it was low risk, high reward but I backed myself. The club gave me the opportunity and the platform.
“Getting another deal was never taken for granted. It’s a compliment from the club and hopefully I can keep-performing and helping the boys.
“When I heard the gaffer was saying £1m that was crazy. I’ve come from lower leagues in England and now you’re telling me there’s £1m on my head?
“If I can get 10 per cent of that, I’ll be buzzing! Listen, just let the gaffer be the gaffer. Whatever he says I’m not going to argue because you’re never going to win.
“He’s brilliant and he’s honest. I had a chat with him and he asked me what my target is for my career.
“I said I wanted to play as high a level as I can. A football career is short and I feel like, if you don’t push yourself, what’s the point?
“I’m always challenging myself and he said he’ll give me the platform to showcase my ability and I’ve just got to do the rest. He said, ‘Win me games and you’ll be doing a good job’.”