Noble: Tottenham can challenge for title again

West Ham United midfielder Mark Noble is scratching his head as to why fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur are not being talked about as potential Premier League title-challengers this year.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea are all expected to be rejuvenated having splashed the cash following the arrivals of their respective new managers.

Liverpool are also anticipated to be much-improved in their first full season under Jurgen Klopp.

But while the Hammers were unbeaten against the aforementioned quartet last term in Premier League matches, they were drubbed 4-1 by Spurs at White Hart Lane in November.

(Cllive Rose/Getty Images)

And Noble thinks Mauricio Pochettino’s team will have a say in the destination of the trophy.

“Do I think this is going to be the toughest season I’ve played in? Probably yes,” said the 29-year-old.

“When people talk about the top teams, they talk about Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea. They don’t even talk about Spurs, who are a top team.

“They were probably the toughest team we played last year. It’s going to be a really tough league.

“We know we can compete with the big boys, we did that last year.

“We haven’t got the same spending power or maybe as big a squad, but we have got a great bunch of lads who enjoy playing together.”