Mark Noble pinpoints three reasons he thinks West Ham are struggling this season

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Captain Mark Noble has attempted to explain the reasons behind West Ham United’s terrible start to the new season.

West Ham United’s Adrian, Dimitri Payet and team mates look dejected

Slaven Bilic’s side have lost three of their opening four Premier League matches and scraped past Bournemouth in their solitary victory.

The Hammers were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu for the second season running.

Fans at at each other’s throats over standing at their new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home while Karren Brady – who spearheaded the club’s move to Stratford – was allegedly spat at by her own supporters as things turned sour in a 4-2 home defeat to Watford last time out.

Match stewards attempt to make West Ham United fans sit down

A toxic atmosphere is starting to fester at West Ham and fans are beginning to question some of Bilic’s team selections and tactics.

It is a far cry from last season when West Ham enjoyed their best ever points total of the Premier League era, recorded a first positive goal difference since 1986 and finished just four points off the Champions League places in their emotional farewell campaign at Upton Park.

Now Mark Noble – the man described as Mr West Ham and the club’s “fan on the pitch” – has spoken to whufc.com about the three reasons he thinks they are struggling so far this season.

Skipper Mark Noble applauds the fans

“We have still got new players coming in learning the league,” Noble offered as the first reason on the club’s official website.

“And we have a lot of players in their second season.

“We have got players coming back from injury like Manu (Lanzini) and Dimi (Payet).”

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic

The Hammers take on another side where unrest between fans and the club has stolen the headlines this season as they travel to West Bromwich Albion at the weekend.

Baggies fans are unhappy with the style of play and transfer business at the Hawthorns.

Something will have to give when the two sides meet on Saturday, though.

Bilic’s side are just above the relegation zone in the fledgling Premier League table but can leapfrog their hosts and go into the top half with a win which will ease the pressure that is building around the club.