Exclusive: Whelan names only two West Ham players putting ‘body on the line’
Noel Whelan had strong words for the West Ham dressing room after Saturday’s collapse against Brighton and said the team “need to show more fight.”
The former Leeds and Coventry striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider correspondent Dylan Childs, believed only Mark Noble and Robert Snodgrass demonstrate the mentality expected of a West Ham player.
David Moyes’ side were 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go but Albion walked away with a point from the London Stadium thanks to late goals from Pascal Gross and Glenn Murray.
The Hammers have only won one of six league games since Moyes replaced Manuel Pellegrini and have now dropped into the bottom three.
When asked for his assessment on The Irons’ second-half capitulation, Whelan told Football Insider: “We talk about character and mental strength, you have got to have that. I did question whether West Ham had enough players who know what it is all about at West Ham. Who knows what it is like to play for the club; what is required to be a West Ham player.
“The fans demand fight, character and mental strength. They seem a little bit weak at times. They do not know how to hold onto a lead.
“There are great players there but sometimes your talent is not the first thing in question. It is your attitude, your work rate, your desire, putting your body on the line.
“I do not think they have that now, they used to. Noble has that, Snodgrass definitely has that. Some of the players need to show more fight.”
Up next for the Hammers are difficult trips to Manchester City and Liverpool.
It is the start of a testing period with Southampton, Arsenal, Wolves, Tottenham and Chelsea all to follow.
In other West Ham news, Darren Bent says Hammers fans will not have to wait long to see star.