Plenty of West Ham fans want Mark Noble dropped after Watford display

By Mathew Nash

West Ham United’s recent winning run came to an end yesterday as they were defeated 2-0 by Watford at the London Stadium.

The Hornets certainly deserved the win and West Ham fans will be hoping for better when they face Southampton on Thursday night.

It was a difficult game for West Ham with several players having a bad day at the office. But West Ham were decidedly outmuscled in the heart of midfield. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue proved too strong for the pairing of Mark Noble and Declan Rice.

15th December 2018, Craven Cottage, London, England; EPL Premier League football, Fulham versus West Ham United; Mark Noble of West Ham United celebrates towards the West Ham United fans after the final whistle (photo by John Patrick Fletcher/Action Plus via Getty Images)

The problem is West Ham lack an all-action midfielder. In the immensely talented Rice, they have a player who wants to sit and control but Noble is the same.

Once again, it has led to calls for Noble to be dropped from the starting XI.

For a number of years, the West Ham stalwart has started to wane. Whilst undoubtedly a hero among fans, West Ham need somebody more mobile in the centre of the park if they are going to continue with Rice as a central midfielder.

Noble is not that man.