The Hammers somehow managed to stave off the dreaded drop to the Championship at the end of last season.
The London club had a disappointing campaign in the Premier League in 2019-20 and were in danger of getting relegated from the top flight of English football for much of the season.
West Ham boss Moyes has reflected on last season, and he has said that while Noble was the most important player to survival, the Englishman was also very scared of going down.
When asked which player was most important to survival, Moyes told The Times: “Mark Noble [the captain]. He stood up throughout the pandemic for the players [off the field] but it was also the responsibility he took on the pitch.
“I think he had an incredible fear of relegation. He wore it on his face every day. He was looking for people to join the cause and he brought them along.
“The big challenge is to get that mentality throughout the team — but Declan Rice was one who carried it. We see Declan in the Mark Noble mould.”
Stats
According to WhoScored, Noble made 32 starts and one substitute appearance in the Premier League for West Ham last season, scoring four goals and providing three assists in the process.
Need to do better
West Ham are a big club and have a massive fanbase, and the team need to do better on the pitch.
While no one seriously expects the Hammers to challenge for the Champions League places in the Premier League table, the London outfit should at least be pushing for the top 10.
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