Noble’s dressing-room rant

A DRESSING-ROOM rant by Mark Noble has emerged as a factor behind West Ham’s revival. Noble’s tirade came after a tepid Hammers display in the 1-0 home defeat by Wolves on September 1, the side’s fourth straight defeat in the Premier League. Club captain Noble, 31, was an unused substitute and was incensed as West Ham lost in stoppage time. At the final whistle, he left the bench and marched to the dressing room. Manager Manuel Pellegrini went to his office for his habitual debrief with his coaches, but before he could hold his own post-match inquest, Noble shut the door and let rip. ‘He didn’t hold back,’ said a source close to the dressing room. Noble accused the squad of lacking commitment, saying: ‘You just do not seem to care and that is not acceptable at this club.’ No-one was spared as Noble spent five minutes insisting performances were well below par. He stressed that more effort was needed from the group and more from the summer signings who had cost West Ham £100million. ‘He didn’t hold back and there were a few choice words,’ said the source. ‘But it needed to be said.’ After the international break, Noble was restored to the team along with Declan Rice. And there has been a distinct change in attitude since. In the Premier League, West Ham have beaten Everton and Manchester United, drawn with Chelsea and dismantled Macclesfield in the Carabao Cup. They travel to Brighton in the Premier League on Friday night. ARSENAL manager Unai Emery has been boosted by news Petr Cech will return to action in three weeks. There were concerns the keeper had torn a hamstring, but the damage is said to be minor and he should be available to face Leicester after the international break.