OPINION
There are few players in the Premier League who would consider themselves immune to the axe but West Ham’s Mark Noble is certainly among those who can be considered as a senior mainstay.
However, that might not be the case for much longer.
The Daily Mail claim on their website that the Hammers captain is being eyed up for a potential suprise axing from manager Manuel Pellegrini, with the Chilean boss said to be looking to adapt his side with more mobility after losing their first two games of the new campaign.
The Irons were beaten comprehensively by Liverpool in their opener with a 4-0 thrashing at Anfield, and they let a lead slip against Bournemouth to stay rooted in the bottom three of the table.
However, if Noble is to be dropped, then there are at least another trio of first teamers who featured against the Cherries who deserve to be on the chopping block, with all three lacking the legs that Pellegrini seems to be desiring.
At the back, Pablo Zabaleta came in for Ryan Fredericks but did not impress, while Angelo Ogbonna was lacklustre at the heart of defence and culpable for throwing the three points away, and there are some quality replacements who could come in and take their places.
Meanwhile in midfield, Ryan Snodgrass is a similar player in style to Noble – industrious but without the pace demanded from a winger – and the wide man should not be first choice when the other options at the London Stadium are fit and ready to go.
With the likes of Andriy Yarmalenko waiting in the wings, there are some changes to be made, and Noble should not be the only man fearing for his place in the starting XI.