West Ham midfielder Mark Noble says that despite fears that the club are being sucked into a relegation dogfight, spirits are high at Upton Park.

The Hammers’ 0-0 draw with rock-bottom Sunderland on Saturday leaves them just one point above the drop zone, and in serious danger of being dragged into a survival scrap for the latter half of the season.

With one of the worst attacking record in the division, the East London club have come under fire recently, with some members of their loyal support questioning the management of Sam Allardyce and his ability to steer them to safety.

Despite fears mounting at Upton Park, Noble says that the camp are still in good spirits and are much stronger than when they were last relegated three years ago.

“I feel like we have the same sort of issues as last time [West Ham were relegated] with not scoring enough but I believe the team spirit, the squad, the chairmen, the manager and the staff this time are a lot more together," Noble told the London Evening Standard.

“Obviously, we are having a tough time at the minute but it doesn’t feel like that at the training ground. We’re still bright and bubbly and I’m pretty sure we’ll turn it around.

“We had a great season last year but there were times then when we needed to win to give us a bit of breathing space. We were only three points above the relegation places at one time and that was after we had started the season so well.

“I think the top eight or nine will stay where they are and it’s for the rest of us to fight it out.”

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