Home-grown talent has been a hallmark of West Ham over the years.
The acclaimed Academy has produced dozens of England internationals, as well as many star names who have plied their trade in top tiers of European football.
Although some people have been sceptical of the success of the system in recent years, the current squad can still boast a solid contingent of graduates.
One of those is Mark Noble. The 26-year old midfielder is West Ham through and through, and has been a first team regular since 2007.
But despite his record, he continues to split opinion.
Part of the problem as I see it, is he is being compared to his immediate predecessors, players such as Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Michael Carrick and Joe Cole.
These are home grown stars who have reached the peak of the sport, winning almost 300 England caps between them, and countless domestic and European trophies.
Arguably, they have been some of the best players of their generation, and Noble struggles in the eyes of the fans by living in their shadow.
He does not possess the same attributes or class as those four, and this distorts the way he is perceived on the pitch.
But the divided opinion over a player so committed to the cause I feel is unfair. He always works his socks off for the team, and has remained loyal to the club since joining the youth ranks in 2000.
He has captained the Hammers, as well as the England U21 team, and has seen off competition for his place from the likes of European internationals Valon Behrami, Scott Parker, Thomas Hitzlsperger, and Radoslav Kováč
Most clubs would be delighted to have a player of his ability and dedication at the heart of their team. And although his name is dropped into the odd transfer rumour during each window, no manager has seen fit to sell him on.
With more than 250 appearances and counting, this home grown talent has more than proved his worth and the fans should unite in backing one of their own.
Forget the inconsistent Diame, the disappearing act that is Kevin Nolan, the honest, but mistake waiting to happen James Collins, the true heartbeat of West ham is Mark Noble, and at long last, a series of respected commentators, and a whole raft of impressive Prem. statistics show what at least some of us have known for a long time…this lad is wholehearted, committed, lead-by-example class.
Why so many Hammers fans doubt the boy is a mystery to me. How many completed passes, last ditch tackles, or miles spent chasing and closing down does Mark need to make before his worth is accepted ??? When Diame yet again tires after 70 mins. and goes AWOL, when Nolan has finished huffing and puffing to no purpose at all ( yet again), its this lad who keeps driving things on: always looking for the ball and never hiding, even when things aren’t going his way.
Mark is one of US, a local boy who bleeds Claret & Blue…give him the full support he deserves.
A simple point, but Fat Frank, Joe Cole, Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand all left West Ham just as (or before) they turned world class. The daunting possibility might be that you need to leave West Ham to really make it on the world stage. Already people are counting the days before Rav leaves. I really hope not and hope that times will be better for the Hammers in the future so that they can keep their players as they make it to the top of their ability.