Bilic faces big Noble decision
And it centres on the captain Mark Noble who having started every game in pre-season and since could be rested after showing nothing like his best form.
Word from the training ground is that Pedro Obiang is set for a run of games and that the manager is wrestling with the Noble issue having subbed him several times this season.
Any thoughts of allowing Obiang to leave either on loan or permanently in the next transfer window have now been firmly shelved.
Noble’s form has been under the spotlight among the fans all season and with Cheik Kouyate showing the first signs of a return to his best, Havard Nortveidt fit and Manu Lanzini looking for an early return it could be that the skipper will be rested with the Senegal midfielder and Obiang forming the midfield pairing.
We were told earlier today that Bilic is ready to make radical decisions as he showed when plunging Michail Antonio into central striker’s role in the hunt for the Irons second win of the season.
The manager made it clear at a meeting with the players ahead of the Middlesborough game that he was ready to shake things up and not pick players on reputations.
He was as good as his word having dropped Lanzini although the Argentne looks certain to return for sadly misfiring Tore.
Noble however could be a casualty as the boss looks to find a winning formula.