It has been an up and down season for West Ham United, no doubt about it.

Slaven Bilic was a popular figure among many fans but results and performances had got so bad under the Croat's management that there was not a great deal of dissent when he was sacked.

David Moyes looked an uninspiring appointment at first. From his time at Sunderland, it looked as if the Scotsman had lost the fire in his belly and the ability to mould a team to fit the demands of modern football.

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However, he exceeded expectations initially, propelling the Hammers up the league with a surprisingly expansive brand of football and survival - and relegation had been a genuine possibility under Bilic - looked all but secured.

The chaotic 3-0 defeat at home to Burnley, on the back of a recent downturn, means that the Irons are now, most definitely, back in the relegation dogfight.

To get out of trouble, West Ham are going to need players who can create goalscoring chances for team-mates. With that in mind, we've had a look at their top five most prolific chance creators so far this season; the men Moyes will be looking at to provide the bullets that will ensure the Hammers survive...

Noble - rated at £6.3m by Transfermarkt - is asked to do a bit of everything in the engine room for the Hammers and it is clear to see that he chips in by making his fair share of chances.

The only out and out central midfielder on this list, Noble may argue that he is a more creative option in that position than his rivals on the basis of the numbers.

He confronted a fan who stormed the pitch last weekend, which shows his passion for the club once again, but the stats show he is more than just a midfield terrier. He can make a chance too.

'Chicharito' is often seen as a pure poacher, someone who relies on other players to give him the chances to convert.

The fact he is also making chances for his team-mates perhaps shows that the Mexican has become a more well-rounded player than he was in his Manchester United days.

He certainly works harder all over the pitch these days, and Moyes will hope that Hernandez can carry on making chances, as well as taking them, in the relegation run-in.

Arnautovic was rampant during the early part of Moyes' reign, before injuries robbed the Scotsman of his services.

His directness can trouble any defence in the Premier League and while he often chooses to go it alone, it is clear from the numbers that he can also tee up his team-mates.

Now he's back in the team, Moyes will hope he is over his injury problems and there is no doubt that he is central to the Irons' hopes of survival.

Cresswell has a left foot capable of creating chances from wide areas but it is slightly surprising to see him so high up this list, given that he has largely played as a centre-back under Moyes.

With England's left-back options dwindling all the time, Cresswell might not thank his manager for that relocation when the Three Lions' World Cup squad is announced.

However, the numbers show that Cresswell - valued at £10.8m by Transfermarkt - is a man capable of making an impression at both ends of the pitch.

Lanzini is another player who has had his season disrupted by injury problems but he is arguably West Ham's most creative force.

It is no surprise to see him at the top of this list and if he stays clear of injury, it would take a brave backer to bet against him remaining there for the duration of the season.

The link-up between the Argentine and Arnautovic was the catalyst for the initial improvement under Moyes and if they can hit top form together again, West Ham should be safe.