According to an interview on Sky Sports, West Ham United captain Mark Noble has hit back at Irons supporters that have criticised him this season.

What’s the story, then?

Well, in recent weeks Irons manager Slaven Bilic has leapt to the defence of his skipper after some Hammers fans called for him to be dropped from the starting XI during a difficult run of results.

With the start of the campaign also proving disappointing as the team struggled to adapt to life at the London Stadium, and the Dimitri Payet exit during the January transfer window proving to be a big distraction, it has been a frustrating campaign for all involved.

What did he say, then?

Noble told Sky Sports: "If I am really honest, a lot of people who now go to football don't really understand the game.

“It's just football, you've got to live with it. Players like Wayne Rooney, some people want him out of the Manchester United team.

"That's why we are captains of our clubs, because we can handle that pressure."

Is the criticism justified?

Not really.

Aside from perhaps Michail Antonio, the majority of the West Ham team would admit that their performances have been below-par this season.

Should he be in the team right now?

Of course.

It might be a cliché but the midfielder bleeds claret and blue and having made almost 400 appearances for the club, it’s obvious that he has their best interests at heart and will continue to deal with the scrutiny he is coming under.

What’s next?

West Ham will look to end a run of two successive defeats and pick up their first win in five games when they welcome Premier League champions Leicester City to the capital this weekend, and Noble should once again lead the side out at the London Stadium.