OPINION
West Ham’s new manager Manuel Pellegrini needs to make a real statement following his arrival at the London Stadium and will be keen to put his stamp on the side.
The Hammers boss needs to make several changes if he is to turn what looks like a mid-table group into a side that can challenge for European spots in the Premier League on ar regular basis.
He should make the brave decision to axe captain and fan favourite Mark Noble from the starting XI, restricting him to main substitute and cup roles.
Noble, 31, is certainly a battling enforcer that wears his heart on his sleeve and is dedicated to the cause, but is maybe not the sort of player Pellegrini can use to get an attacking style of play.
The central midfielder is certainly no longer at the peak of his powers and should be behind either Pedro Obiang or Cheikhou Kouyate as a defensive option in the centre of the park.
West Ham are crying out for a creative midfielder that can unlock defences and Noble is not the right man to do that.
Noble has a decent range of passing and is a traditional English player with his touch tackling, but can’t play the eye-catching style that Pellegrini is expecting to bring with him following the arrival.
West Ham supporters want to see drastic changes on the pitch after promises following a move to a new ground and that may mean sacrificing one of the old guard in Noble from the team.
