Charlie Nicholas says West Ham’s Mark Noble is playing the best football of his career

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Charlie Nicholas has given his verdict on tomorrow’s late kick off London derby between West Ham United and Crystal Palace.

He expects the Hammers to win, led by Mark Noble, and the former Arsenal man believes the £50,000-a-week (Spotrac) midfielder is in the form of his life.

As per Sky Sports, he said: “This is a nice London derby. Crystal Palace are slightly better away from home, but it’s hard to tell sometimes. Wilfried Zaha looks like he may be over the transfer situation, while Mark Noble is playing better than he ever has.

“It was a good point for West Ham at Bournemouth when normally they would have folded. This is the best West Ham side I have seen in a long while and I think Sebastian Haller will be the fans favourite, finding the net again. 3-1 West Ham.”

TBR’s View – Noble shining with Pellegrini’s passing philosophy and with quality around him

Noble has seen almost everything and played a variety of midfield roles during his time at West Ham; destroyer, creator, tackler.

Now, he is surrounded by quality widemen and playmakers in a side which wants to play attractive football. Being a leader on the pitch, maintaining standards and keeping it simple absolutely suits him and is getting him at his best.

Is he in the form of his life? Only Hammers fans who have watched him for years would be able to answer – I doubt Nicholas has put the hours in or thought that one through.

But he is once again proving his value to his boyhood club and should be telling the dressing room they have a huge opportunity to break into the top six this season.