As we await the outcome of our three remaining games, it is quite amazing to believe what a great season it has been.

Despite the numerous challenges we have had to face, our team has shown an incredible level of determination and resilience. An enormous amount of the limelight has fallen on our manager Slaven Bilic, who has reignited the West Ham Way, and bought joy and happiness to so many of our fans.

In addition, so much attention and praise has been deservedly given to Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Michail Antonio and Andy Carroll. However, after watching our tremendous display against West Brom last weekend, I came away so thankful to three players who were so instrumental in gaining the three points.

Two of them may come as obvious choices, but the third member of this trio, may surprise some.

Let’s take a look…

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Mark Noble

It has been a superb year for our courageous captain, who has blossomed under the encouragement of the manager and support of his fellow players.

Last week, when it appeared that we were struggling to gain the ascendancy, Noble and team mates were instrumental in settling the mid-field momentum.

Aside from scoring twice, he dictated play with his dynamic running and quick passing in virtually all directions of the park. His energy and determination seemed to ignite his team-mates, and his MOTM display was topped off by a superb volley from an Andy Carroll cross.

His four goals in two games, at a time when our usual goal scorers have been a little quieter than usual, have been vital in our pursuit of a potential top 6th finish

Cheikhou Kouyate

Upon hearing of the arrival of Kouyate back in 2014, I was delighted and excited to watch his performances in his first season at West Ham.

After four outstanding seasons at Anderlecht, he has turned out to be a superb acquisition for us. He was quite impressive in his first season at Upton Park, making his presence known from the outset.

As part of our midfield duo, he seems to have risen to even greater heights under the guidance of the new gaffer. Words barely do justice to this man’s talents; gifted with stamina, strength, aggression, superb tackling, interception, and blocking would suffice to describe a well-rounded mid-fielder. However, there is more to his game, which makes him so exciting to watch.

In recent games, he has shown outstanding acceleration and pace in his powerhouse surges up-field. In addition, he has shown an ever-increasing willingness to score some very important goals with some beautiful headers.

Last week he and Mark Noble were outstanding against West Brom.

Angelo Ogbonna

Following impressive stints with Torino and Juventus, Angelo arrived at West Ham last summer.

It was quite a while before he was able to gain a regular position in the starting line-up, due in part to the outstanding form of James Collins.

However, when his opportunity finally came he has made himself an automatic starter in the centre back position.

A strong and powerful defender, he is primarily known for his outstanding physical attributes. Ogbonna is also capable of playing as a left-back on occasion, due to his pace, technique, ball skills, vision, and distribution with his left foot. In the past four months or so, he has grown from strength to strength.

In our last game against West Brom he put on a master class in the art of defending. He was quick to react when faced with tricky situations, which called for decisive interactions.

In recent games, he has developed the confidence to move the ball from defence to midfield, effectively linking up with his fellow team-mates. Has his skill set, combined with vision and creativity, seen the un-earthing of a mature-onset defensive playmaker?