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West Ham United are struggling and homegrown captain Mark Noble has been making his views clear of late.

The Hammers have nosedived from third in the Premier League to the brink of the relegation zone.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini is facing an uncertain future.

But he has not been helped by a host of players simply not performing.

Under-performing stars pushing Pellegrini to the brink

Record £45million striker signing Sebastien Haller has struggled while fellow summer recruit – back-up goalkeeper Roberto – was a complete disaster before being replaced by David Martin in recent fixtures.

Another summer signing, £24million Pablo Fornals has found it tough to adapt to English football too.

Noble has made it clear that Haller is at a crossroads in his West Ham career.

Read: Mark Noble says £45million flop Sebastien Haller’s West Ham career will go one of two ways

But speaking in his Evening Standard column this week Noble has thrown his backing behind Fornals to come good.

Noble backs £24million man

“I thought Pablo Fornals played well against Wolves,” Noble said in his Evening Standard column which was published just before the Arsenal game on Monday night.

“He took some confidence from the Chelsea game.

“And I’m really pleased for him because he works hard and is a lovely kid.”

One thing West Ham fans demand at the moment is to see their players working hard.

And not enough of the club’s supposed stars are doing that.

Improving Fornals could be key

Fornals has actually been one of the Hammers’ best players of late and looks to finally be coming good after an outstanding Euro Under 21 Championships with winners Spain in the summer.

As his fitness, stamina and physicality improves his talent will come to the fore.

For Noble to give his fellow midfielder such unequivocal backing is reassuring.

And Fornals could yet turn out to be a key player for West Ham as the season wears on.