West Ham United captain Mark Noble has revealed he is not entirely happy with the treatment he has received from Manuel Pellegrini.
The Hammers skipper has now played 465 games for his boyhood club and should reach the 500 mark next season.
The 31-year-old midfielder is a legend to West Ham fans even if he is taken somewhat for granted at times.
Mr West Ham turns up when it matters most
Born a stone’s throw from Upton Park, Noble feels it more than most when things aren’t going well at West Ham.
But that only serves to make the good times better.
And they don’t come much better than last week’s historic 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur’s glorious new stadium.
Noble was superb leading the Hammers to become the first away side to score and more importantly win at Spurs.
Noble’s time under Pellegrini follows recurring theme
But the game followed an all too familiar pattern of late as he was substituted off by Pellegrini.
And honest as the day is long, Noble has admitted in his column with the Evening Standard that he is not happy with the recurring theme of his time under the Chilean. Even if he does see the bigger picture for the club he loves.
“This club is my life,” Noble told the Evening Standard.
“The manager has substituted me a few times this season, especially lately, and we have conceded. I’m not saying I would have made a massive difference had I still been out there. But, as a player, I always want to be out there.
‘I’m never happy when my number comes up’
“I think he knows that with my output, he just wants to put on a fresh pair of legs — and I can’t complain.
“I like to think he also wants to make it possible for the fans to give me a round of applause, if we’re winning!
“I’ve got to be honest, I’m never happy when my number comes up but I knew why he wanted Angelo Ogbonna on at Spurs. They kept launching balls forward so it made sense.”
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