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Does Noble have the legs for the festive fixture pile up?

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OPINION

Manuel Pellegrini has been dealt a headache this festive season as it seems clear that the 31-year-old West Ham midfielder Mark Noble may no longer have the legs to cope with games coming thick and fast.

The Hammers favourite, who earns £50,000-a-week (Source: Spotrac), was painfully exposed against Crystal Palace on Saturday as he seemed to be a yard off the pace.

This was particularly the case in the first half where Noble struggled to get a foothold in the middle of the pitch as Palace’s midfielder barged past him with ease.

Noble was also uncharacteristically sloppy in possession as a result because it seemed to get rattled over the fact he couldn’t handle the tempo of the match.

Given that the veteran midfielder has oozed class this season, especially in his outing against Manchester United, it seems the dip in his performance against Palace mostly like came from having to play too many games in quick succession.

Noble played 85 minutes against Newcastle United last weekend, 90 minutes against Cardiff City on Tuesday and it seemed the Palace game had come around too quick for him.

The veteran’s work ethic cannot be faltered as he continued to battle against the tide when facing Palace and did his part to help his side win 3-2, but he was painfully exposed and a more in-form side would have taken advantage of that.

When you consider that the festive period has just really begun, and games are set to continue coming thick and fast, Pellegrini has been dealt a headache for the next few weeks on how to use Noble.

The midfielder can’t play every single minute of the next few games, his display against Palace proves that, but Pellegrini doesn’t really have the perfect replacement for him.

Pedro Obiang’s form has been inconsistent this season, while Jack Wilshere continues to be an injury concern, so it’s hard to see who the Hammers manager can rely on instead of Noble.

Also Mr.West Ham offers leadership qualities that other midfield options don’t, and these can prove vital when everyone is feeling the demand of the fixture pile-up.

Therefore it seems Pellegrini has a nice festive headache following his side’s win over Palace as Noble was exposed as a player who can’t keep up with all the games this winter.

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