West Ham captain Mark Noble was substituted at half time in the Hammer’s 3-2 defeat to Newcastle on Saturday as manager Manuel Pellegrini looked to address a poor first-half performance.
Any one of the eleven could have been taken off following the abject first 45 minutes but the midfielder made way after making very little impact on the game.
Some fans on Twitter have been suggesting that Noble’s form recently has been concerning, and are worried whether time is catching up to the 32-year-old:
Legs have gone
— Graham Buckle (@GrahamBuckle1) November 2, 2019
It’s his off the ball ability that worries me. Barely ever see him making good interceptions and tackles in the midfield which seems to leave Rice exposed way too often. Something has to change there
— John bellion (@jbellion24) November 2, 2019
Hoping that this is just a bad run ?
— ⚒ Daniel Mark ⚒ (@dandadon21) November 2, 2019
If Nobles legs have gone, which is highly doubtful, after all, they have gone every year for the last 5, but if they have, its from carrying the team over many years. I would just like one other of the senior pros to step up for once, just once.
— Fazzamania (@fazzamania) November 2, 2019
Nobes is three years past his sell-by date. Him and Zab are snails.
— ⚒ Joe Emery ⚒ (@00emmers) November 3, 2019
I think Nobles form has dropped because he’s having to carry other players, he’s getting frustrated
— jockney (@dmwalker70) November 3, 2019
Can’t say anything about Noble because he is loyal. He is suited for some games but it’s mobile and influential enough. Has been a passenger for a few weeks
— ⚒ Sapper Mark ⚒ (@Mdp_coyi66) November 3, 2019
Pellegrini has had 3 transfer windows to sort out our midfield issue , we have no legs in there . Until we get players who can play high intensity football , like Leicester do , we always be a slow pedestrian side
— Paolo (@ellingford_paul) November 3, 2019
Not only that his usual solid passing is all over the place. We improved massively when he went off.
— Dan Ellis (@xDellisOfficial) November 2, 2019
It must be said, there were worse performers than the captain at the weekend, but he is meant to lead by example, and his anonymous display was symptomatic of a wretched performance from the Irons.
Noble will likely return to the starting line up when West Ham face Burnley next Saturday, and they will need his leadership in what will likely be a very challenging game at Turf Moor.
