Mark Noble believes 'things are turning around at Upton Park', with Sam Allardyce having helped to steady the West Ham ship.
Midfielder setting his sights on top flight and England call-up
Mark Noble believes 'things are turning around at Upton Park', with Sam Allardyce having helped to steady the West Ham ship.
The Hammers are looking to secure an immediate return to the Premier League this term, with a place in Saturday's Championship play-off final offering them a shot at the big time.
The capital outfit are getting used to eventful campaigns, with the last few seasons having seen them avoid the drop, suffer relegation and put themselves in promotion contention.
Noble, a constant throughout that run, admits things have been 'a bit mental' but the home-grown midfielder feels times are changing.
Since Allardyce inherited the managerial reins last summer, the former England U21 international says stability and leadership has returned to Upton Park.
Reacted
"West Ham is a completely differently run club nowadays," Noble told
The Sun.
"Sam is in charge of everything and what he says goes. And the boys and staff have reacted to that.
"In the last few years, I've gone through the Great Escape, relegation, promotions, cup finals - it's all experience in the bank but it's been a bit mental.
"Now, you get the feeling things are turning around at Upton Park."
Future
Noble has been through a lot for a 25-year-old footballer, but he is determined to take things one step further and become a regular Premier League performer and contender for a spot in the senior England squad.
Ahead of Saturday's play-off meeting with Blackpool, he added: "I think I have played 50 games this season but feel fresh and raring to go. The Championship is not the level I want to play at. I was voted in the Team of the Year by the other pros and was also named Hammer of the Year, which is great.
"Mentally and physically, I'm a hundred times better than a few years ago and I want to produce the football I have this season in the Premier League and for England."
On his future, Noble added: "I've not had any conversations with the club about my contract.
"Last season, following relegation, there were a couple of clubs interested in me but I was told the new manager was adamant he wanted to keep me."
