OPINION
West Ham have had a very hit and miss season and there are few out there who can consider themselves 100 per cent proud of their performances since the start of the season.
Perhaps only goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski and midfield revelation Declan Rice should be allowed to escape criticism from the east London faithful, the duo regularly putting in top quality performances in an attempt to seal victory and success for their side.
Everyone else however have failed to match their standout teammates in sustaining their performances throughout the campaign, with club captain Mark Noble among those to have seen his form fluctuate – although he has been more consistent in recent weeks.
As such, no one can really consider themselves safe from being replaced in east London, even Mr West Ham himself, and with the Telegraph tipping the Irons to chase diminutive Stoke City midfielder and Wales international Joe Allen this summer, the future of Noble must be under serious threat.
Simply put, the two are too similar in terms of their styles to play alongside each other and it will likely be one or the other alongside Rice – if the prodigious young talent stays at the club, of course.
Noble might be a favourite at the London Stadium but the 5’6″ (source: Transfermarkt) Welsh international is a cut above in terms of quality – after all, you do not earn 49 caps for your country and play 132 times for Liverpool without being good at what you do.
Allen would be a notable upgrade at West Ham and with the likes of Jack Wilshere waiting in the wings too, Noble is the clear and obvious candidate to be axed to make room.
Watch this space Irons fans – you might have to find a new favourite to fill the void this summer.