Angelo Ogbonna has gone on record to reveal that Mark Noble’s influence in the changing room remains as strong as ever, despite rumours that there is a lack of leadership with the squad at present.
The former Juventus defender has been speaking to Italian newspaper Tuttosport about what goes on inside the West Ham dressing room and he has confirmed that although there isn’t one single, outright leader within the camp, Mark Noble’s authority means that when he speaks, the players listen.
The interview, translated by sportwitness.co.uk, quotes Ogbonna as saying: “We don’t have a real leader.
“Of course, when captain Noble is talking in the room, a fly won’t fly. He was born and raised in this club, he has done all the stuff until he became the captain: he deserves respect.”
The comments will come as refreshingly positive soundbites to supporters who have had to sufferer a number of negative reports and quotes coming out of the club in recent months.
To know that Mark Noble still commands the respect of his teammates is reassuring at the very least, particularly given that he is the captain.
Ogbonna then goes on to praise the West Ham faithful and admits that it is they who the team yearn to please the most.
“Our guide, however, is the 12th man on the pitch, our people,” he said.
“Go to Youtube for the videos of the last game we played at Boleyn Ground against United: we came back from 1-2 to 3-2 starting a crazy party.
“We want to get back to giving satisfactions of this kind to our supporters.”
Ogbonna and the rest of the squad can go along way towards giving us satisfaction by winning football matches, starting with three points against Leicester City at London Stadium tonight.
Talk is cheap, it’s now time for these players to back their words up with actions. Otherwise what’s the point?
