After a poor display on Sunday, does the new system at West Ham spell the beginning of the end for Mark Noble?
The midfield was by and large the most critiqued area of the park at the weekend. Supporters couldn’t wrap their heads around why both Noble and Jack Wilshere were playing in the same side.
It would be an extreme surprise if Manuel Pellegrini didn’t listen make tweaks in the engine room. And that could be to remove captain Noble from the side ahead of Bournemouth’s visit on Saturday.
The Chilean manager has already stated in the past he can’t offer Noble consistent first team football. Despite acknowledging his quality, Pellegrini said that he “doesn’t know how often he will play”.
Despite confirming Noble will remain as captain when he does feature, Pellegrini doesn’t seem overly confident in the reliable stalwart.
This could be down to the football that the new manager likes to play. It’s well known that the former Manchester City head coach likes to get the ball on the deck and create with pace. This would involved a midfield that can spread possession around quickly and contain a variety of flair players.
Noble doesn’t particularly fit into that system, and that’s perhaps the reason why Pellegrini is so hesitant to offer him consistent first-team football.
There’s no question Wilshere was just as poor on Sunday. However, being new summer signing, the manager is likely to stick by the former Arsenal man to a greater extent.
Noble has been an incredible servant to West Ham. Becoming a first-team player at age 24, the midfielder has scored 45 goals in 355 appearances for the Hammers.
He hs given his all for the club, and capped it all with an emotion testimonial back in 2016.
However, for the sake of progress, it may be time for Noble to prepare for life after West Ham.
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