‘Tonka’ makes Nobes near MOM but is worried

Tonka in his prime

Hammers former hero Ray Stewart has praised skipper Mark Noble’s performance against Wolves as “an excellent example of leadership.”

The former Irons defender went as far as to say he would have made him man of the match but for the performance of Jesse Lingard.

Claret and Hugh’s exclusive blogger explained: “I thought he did really well but should Declan be out for any length of time it’s going to be a problem for him and the manager.

“Any player can fill in to a problem position for the odd game – we all have now and again -but to ask him to do that continually for say the last eight games at his age at the end of a long and difficult season may  be too much.

“At Mark’s age it gets more and more difficult. I’m not saying they have done, but the legs eventually go, and then you resort to bringing players down because there’s no other way.

“I saw it with Bill Bonds. It’s not the player’s fault – there’s just nothing he can do about it but in the circumstances we have at West Ham right now it’s going to be tricky for the manager.

“I believe he is going to have to come up with some alternatives over these vital games if Declan isn’t available.”