'We're better than this': Mark Noble calls on fans to back struggling West Ham

Mark Noble admits there is a lack of belief in the West Ham squad, but has urged fans to get behind the team after their pointed attacks on the board and players during Sunday’s defeat to Watford.

The Hammers were listless and uninspiring in David Moyes’ first game in charge and, while there was no anger aimed at the new boss, David Sullivan, David Gold and Karren Brady were bombarded with abuse from the away end.

Furthermore, as the game dragged on and any hope of a comeback faded, fans turned on the squad, chanting ‘you’re not fit to wear the shirt,’ while Andy Carroll was singled out after his criticism of the fans at London Stadium.

Captain Noble admits he understands the frustrations, but has called on fans to rally behind the struggling side.

"It's a very difficult situation for us,” Noble told West Ham TV.

"The fans show their emotions, and rightly so because they're not happy and they pay a lot of money to come and watch us.

"I know it's hard, I know they're frustrated, and we are too because we know we're better than what we're showing, but I urge them to stick by us and hopefully the good times will come back.

"As much as we're not performing on the pitch at the minute, we need them to stick by us."

There were flashes when the Hammers could have got back into the game, only to be denied by superb stops from Heurelho Gomes and Noble admits a lack of confidence is holding them back at the moment.

He added: "We had good chances to equalise in the first half but in the end I thought Watford were the better team.

"They have been together with their manager for a while and we've had a couple away on international duty and we've trained with our young lads.

"It could have been a different if we'd finished our chances but that's the way it's going at the moment. There's a bit of a lack of belief in our players and I think we showed it."