Zola has seen his position come under serious scrutiny this season as the Hammers have become embroiled in a battle to beat the drop in the Premier League. Zola's men hold a three-point cushion over 18th-placed Hull City with three games remaining and a victory over Wigan this weekend, coupled with a defeat for Hull, would effectively ensure the Hammers' survival as they also boast a healthier goal difference. Noble believes that Zola, who has even been forced to endure stinging public rebukes from club co-owner David Sullivan, has been harshly treated this term. "He's the manager so he will take the brunt of criticism but I think the criticism is unfair," Noble told the Daily Telegraph. "He's dealt with the criticism unbelievably well. "There have been six or seven games where we've been in the lead and given away silly, late goals. Sometimes it's concentration, sometimes it's bad luck. "He's a lovely fella but when he needs to make a decision, it gets made. That's why he brought Steve Clarke in with him, because Clarkey is a strong character. If the manager wants to do something, he won't pussyfoot around. "He's had a lot of criticism but you can tell the players are behind him, there's no rift in the camp. "I want him to stay. He wants to play football the right way. He's still learning as a manager. He's still young. He's probably learnt more this year than he has over the past five years."
