Mark Noble: West Ham learning under Slaven Bilic

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic

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Mark Noble admits the West Ham players are still getting used to the methods of new boss Slaven Bilic.

Having allowed academy coach Terry Westley to field a fairly inexperienced team in the Europa League, the Croatian took charge of his first proper game on Saturday in the 3-3 friendly draw at Peterborough.

The match saw a number of first teamers take to the field as Bilic continues to formulate his plans for the Hammers’ final season at Upton Park.

New signing Pedro Obiang was one of those on show for the East Londoners in an entertaining game at London Road, in which the Premier League outfit struggled at times to find their rhythm.

Noble admits the squad are still getting to grips with the new coach’s tactics but is confident they will thrive once they start to understand his philosophy.

“We’ve got a new manager and new ways and the lads will have to get used to it,” he told the club’s official website. “Once the lads get used to it, the new manager will drill in to us how he wants us to play and how we’re going to gel together.

“Slaven is an approachable man and he has made it clear that we can approach him. He’s been fantastic up until now but it’s still pre-season so it’s not normally well into the season that you see the real character of the manager.”

Despite the optimism surrounding the camp, the Hammers face a tough start to the Premier League when they face Arsenal. The Gunners are currently the 1.33 favourites to win the match, with the draw at 4.75 and West Ham priced at 9.00.

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