A Noble Aim

David Noble hopes that his presence at the club will continue to prove to be a lucky omen - even though he hasn't been involved with the first team squad since arriving from Arsenal.

"Since I have come they seem to have picked up and I haven't seen them play badly yet," he says. "They have been playing a lot, lot better with the three wins and the draw at Everton."

David cast his eye around him in training and can't believe, with the talent at the club, that West Ham lie third from bottom.

"Everyone is thinking that and saying West Ham have too many good players to go down," he says "but if you don't perform the league position doesn't lie.

"We should be looking to get in Europe with the players we have got. West Ham are up there easily in the top six for individuals, I think.

"In the last few games it seems there has been a lot more desire to win but whether we have turned it around quickly enough we will have to wait and see.

"It is about working and closing down - all teams need that."

David, currently on Scotland under-21 duty, has impressed regularly in the reserves since coming from Highbury, and he adds: "The main thing is to be getting the games in though I did have a little ankle injury - I am enjoying it a lot since I settled in."

As for whether he has done enough to earn a contract extension beyond this summer, he explains: "I haven't been told in as many words but the gaffer seems to think I am doing all right. It would be the best thing for me to get a new contract this summer."