Jamie Carragher delivers damning Mark Noble assessment which must act as wake-up call to owners

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Respected Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has delivered a damning assessment on West Ham United captain Mark Noble.

‘It’s impossible’ Carragher debunks lazy myth about West Ham star with brilliant comment

The Hammers legend has signed a new and final one-year deal with the club where he has cemented himself as an all-time legend.

That will ensure he gets the send off in front of West Ham fans that he undoubtedly deserves.

Noble influence on the pitch diminished but skipper set for new deal to keep continuity off it

Noble turns 35 next season and his influence has understandably waned on the pitch in recent times.

The club skipper has struggled for game time this season with Tomas Soucek and Declan Rice outstanding in central midfield.

West Ham boss David Moyes has often highlighted the importance of Noble’s influence off the pitch as crucial to the club’s success.

Noble’s new one-year deal will ensure that continues to be a factor.

But Carragher issued a wake-up call to West Ham owners David Sullivan and David Gold over the midfielder’s ability to adequately fill in for Rice and Soucek when needed.

Carragher delivers damning analysis on West Ham when Noble is in the side, must serve as wake up call to GSB

And it should leave Sullivan and Gold in no doubt that West Ham will need at least one new central midfielder in the summer.

“I want to highlight a slight problem I felt (West Ham had) before Soucek came in and Mark Noble and Declan Rice were playing together,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“And this used to happen a lot (Carragher highlights Noble and Rice being too far apart and allowing space between the lines in the home defeat to Tottenham last season).

“(With Noble in the side) the midfield players were too far apart and not in the right positions. What these two players do now, Soucek and Rice are square of each other (but) as we saw before Noble was too far ahead.”

Carragher is right and West Ham simply must sign at least one new central midfielder this summer

Carragher highlighted how Rice and Soucek work in tandem defensively to cut off gaps between the lines as well as attacks out wide and through the centre.

All good things come to an end. And Noble would be the first to admit he is not mobile enough to perform the same roles for West Ham fulfilled so well by Rice or Soucek.

Indeed he has written an open letter to fans confirming next season will be his last (whufc.com).

GSB simply must back Moyes to sign at least one new central midfielder this summer. All they need to do is ask themselves who would fill in for Rice or Soucek should either be unavailable.

Former Hammer of the Year Rob Green joined Carragher in the Sky Sports studio.

And he too fired a warning to Sullivan and Gold that reinforcements are needed due to an alarming lack of back-up in key positions. Read the full story below.

Rob Green sends stark warning to West Ham owners