Mark Noble will have to scrap harder than ever before to maintain his first team place in what looks set to become a pivotal season in his Upton Park carer,
The arrival of Pedro Obiang and Dimitri Payet and with Chiek Kouyate now a fixture when fit, means Noble could become a bit part player.
Slaven Bilic is keen to add another attacking midfielder to the mix and with Alex Song, or a defensive midfielder like him coming in, Noble will be forced to become part of what looks set to become a regular rotation policy.
Like most, his form tailed off last season and he was hit by a series of injuries which hopefully he is over and from which there will be no cumulative effect.
A source told us: “The competition is getting more and more intense in that area of the pitch with the likes of Diego Poyet and Morgan Amalfitano available.
“Mark – like everybody else – will be need to be right on top of his game from the start of the campaign as the competiton in that area of the pitch is going to be terrific.”
Exactly how it should be,competitom for places does none of them any harm.Will just push them to be better,no more get in the team because youre a pet 😉
I also suspect that this is just how Noble would want it. Nolan seems to think he’s entitled to his place but Noble has always struck me as someone that knows he has to earn his spot.
It’s an interesting point, how many of our current squad are definite starters every game they are available?
Adrian
Cresswell
Reid
Kouyate
And Payet
Probably Sakho
I must admit I’ve never heard of Obiang before and have no idea if he’s any good.
If we get him on loan again you can probably add Jenkinson to your list Fob and I think Valencia will start most games. I haven’t seen Obiang either, we have been after him for a long time certainly predating Bilic’s move so its hard to say whether he will be a starter or not. It is sure to be an exciting season with so much anticipation as to how we will play and what players will be incorporated to play the way Slav wants the game to be played.
Prertty much those players as it stands.Aint got a clue about Obiang myself.Matte is the one who knows about him as he is our Italian reporter 😉
What is going on with some of our club websites with this attack Mark Noble approach? lots of players had a bad second half of last season and that was down to Sam Allardyce, I feel that under Slav we could see a completely different Noble, he was no favourite of Sam’s, but our two owners rewarded him with a long term contract!
Lets just wait and see what Slav does with players, not start player assassination threads even before a football is kicked.
Lmao,who has slagged Noble.All thats been said is that he will have to fight for his place with the new arrivals & bigger competition in midfield.I dont see anyone with an uzi with Nobes in his sights 😉
Nobody slags any player on this site unless the poster thinks he deserves it,
I read this site every day and no anti Noble stance has ever taken place in fact the opposite
Noble will struggle even at his best to get in this team even though this time last year people were calling for him to be made captain,
We do not want another Nolan problem by giving Noble the arm band,
But on this site we have found it hard to pick a new captain,I think Reid but not many do possible Adrien as he looks to be playing nearly every game,
If we play a system with 1 centre forward and two wingers come inside forwards of which Noble does not come into that bracket
That only leaves 3 places with Kouyate,and Payet looking likely starters that leaves Noble fighting for 1 place ,if Song joins and Obiang looks a likely starter Noble will sit on the bench
Or leave in a deal for someone like Austin as OPR like him
That’s my opinion sorry jaybs if you think that’s anti Noble
Think people have just said he needs to pull his finger out,is all i have seen on sites.Cant disagree either,if he wants to keep his place he will need to.With the possibility of fierce competition for midfield places i would not give him the captaincy for sure.Cant see him being a regular.Just my opinion not a character assination on the chap.
For once there is genuine competition for places not simply being picked because of reputation, affiliation with a agent or throwing mud over the hippo to keep him cool. I would guess that all the midfield will have to keep on there toes to play and that’s a good thing
my personal starting midfield: Kouyate, Obiang, Payet, Song (if he comes back) / Amalfitano
I love Mark Noble and we all want the loyal local lad to succeed but he really does have to pick up his game to earn a starting spot,I’ve heard this before so maybe he’ll come through again.
My biggest fear is that we’re getting very close to
Line
Ups being written in
The style
Of a formation
Lol
Are we trying to buy too many players ?,, there is always the danger of an overload .
Hope we don’t see players wanting to leave when the Winter window opens due to rotation and too much time on the bench … Ambition is fine and more than welcome , but we mustn’t get carried away with ourselves before a ball is even kicked .. Setting your sights so high can lead to a poor shot and well off target ,,,, Just a Thought .
It’s a good thought Kev but tbh we want professionals who buy into the project and try their best at all times,if they don’t meet the criteria then they’re welcome to leave anyway
If they dont buy into it & whinge too much Slavs boys will take care of them,lol,who in their right mind is going to complain to Slav,Dicksy & the heavies anyway 😉
There are players who don’t like sitting on the bench .. You hear about them all the time . I am just voiceing a concern . I agree entirely that if they don’t buy into it we don’t need them or want them . Maybe I’m getting a bit over excited , but I love West Ham , and that means I am accustomed to worry and fret .
Just for you Kevin https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU
We have enough dark days so when it’s sunny enjoy it lol
kev you’re another man, one of us… 😉
No need to fret Kev,enjoy it until there is something to fret about.You aint the only one,we are all always waiting for the next cock up.But for now just smile & dont worry,be happy my friend 😉