Raging Fabianski delights Noble as squad faith grows

Mark Noble has pinpointed the signing of Lukasz Fabianski as absolutely pivotal declaring it to be a purchase like Black Firday times two.

Speaking to www.whufc.com ahead of the game against Palace he said: “We’re lucky because we have two fantastic goalkeepers in Lukasz and Adrian.

I believe we paid £7 million to Swansea for Lukasz. For me – and I’ve seen a lot of players come and go at this football club – for what he cost, it’s like Black Friday times two!

“He’s an absolute bargain for that money.

“I hope he won’t mind me saying this but he was absolutely raging after the game on Tuesday night because we conceded that last-minute goal and the following day he still had the hump. I love seeing that reaction from players.”

While Fabianski has been an ever-present so far this term, a number of players were given welcome opportunities to impress against Cardiff – most notably two-goal Spanish striker

Noble was delighted to see Lucas Perez and fellow goalscorer Michail Antonio take their chance and play such a pivotal role in West Ham’s win.

“The manager’s philosophy is that, ‘Yes I can change the team and we’re still going to win’. That kind of management does so much for the players. Yes, if you’re not in the team, you’re going to be upset but if you know the manager has faith in you when the chance comes, that’s so important.

“Lucas Perez is an example. He hasn’t had much game time but I can tell you, he is one of the best finishers I’ve ever seen – and I don’t say that lightly. He got two chances against Cardiff after he came on for Marko Arnautovic – and scored both. He’s just clinical.

“I knew, when he came on that, if he got a chance he would score. In training, in five-a-sides and especially up close, he’s lethal. His left foot is dangerous.

“It means such a lot that, when match-changing players get injured, like Marko on Tuesday night, as well as Andriy Yarmolenko and Manuel Lanzini, we are able to keep going.

“Everyone knows where they stand and if someone isn’t fit, the manager trusts the players he brings in.

“Michail also slotted in at right-back and we know he doesn’t particularly like it there but it’s a team game and we all have to do what the manager asks of us.

“He’s had a tough couple of seasons with injuries but he’s looking sharper all the time. He’s a player who, because of his pace and power, will be frequently used in different positions. I don’t know if he wants that or not but sometimes that’s what you have to do.

“Michail was great the other night. It was his first game at right-back for a long time and he scored a header!”

ClaretandHugh says: So much of what Manuel Pellegrini said on his arrival and soon after tends to stick in the mind. One liners that carry an enormous amount of weight. And one of those was when he declared: “We are not building a team but a squad” adding that he wouldn’t change his ways because this wasn’t an experiment. It’s the sort of talk that is so simple is seems self evident. However, in West Ham’s case it has often not been the case and that there are no serious options available and too many players have held positions when clearly out of form. Cheik Kouyate, who we may see this afternoon, is a top example of that. So when Noble explains the manager’s philosophy and the response from the players it really comes as no surprise. The boss is reported to be on around £10 million a year – this is the sort of approach you get for that money.