Former West Ham boss Harry Redknapp says Slaven Bilic needs Mark Noble's leadership.

Redknapp wrote for the London Evening Standard: "Slaven Bilic requires the services of his captain now more than ever. West Ham are in a right mess and the input of Mark Noble over the next few weeks will be as important as anything that comes from Slaven. That's because it's what's going on in the dressing room that will decide the team's fate.

"You're not ever-present with the players when you're manager because you've got so many different responsibilities. Of course you hear things and can read body language, but players always talk most honestly among themselves.

"Most of the new signings aren't getting into the team, so they will all have the hump. They'll sit around wondering what they're doing there. If you have a load of negative people moaning about the club and the manager, then West Ham are doomed.

"That's where Noble has got to get even closer to Slaven. If there are things like that happening, then he needs to inform his manager. He's not being a snitch – he's got to tell Slaven because he needs to rely on his senior players."