Why West Brom signing Robert Snodgrass is a smart move
According to Premier League’s official website, West Brom have signed out-of-favour West Ham winger Robert Snodgrass for an undisclosed fee.
The manager was on the lookout for experienced players who have the quality and character needed for a relegation battle. (h/t Express & Star)
Snodgrass certainly fits the bill in that regard. The 33-year-old’s contract at West Ham was due to expire at the end of the season and the Hammers were willing to cash in on him to reduce their wage bill.
The former Scotland international, who featured for Leeds United, Norwich City and Hull City earlier in his career, joined West Ham in January 2017. Snodgrass spent the 2017-18 season on loan at Aston Villa in the Championship. On his return, he established himself as a key squad player under former manager Manuel Pellegrini.
Snodgrass chipped in with some quality performances in the previous campaign, accumulating 5 goals and 5 assists in 24 appearances as the Hammers somehow avoided relegation.
However, the veteran found regular minutes hard to come by at the London Stadium this term. The Glasgow-born winger was restricted to just 3 substitute appearances in the PL, although he scored 3 goals in 3 League Cup outings.
Putting things into perspective, Robert Snodgrass could be an excellent addition to West Brom’s ranks. The Scotsman has carved out a reputation for himself as a relegation specialist in the Premier League over the years. With the Baggies currently locked in a relegation dogfight, Snodgrass’ experience and quality could come in very handy for Allardyce.
West Brom are crying out for some additional firepower in the final third after scoring just 11 goals in 17 games so far. While Karlan Grant’s failures have contributed greatly to those dismal numbers, it has to be said that the Baggies No.9 has lacked enough support from those around him. Matheus Pereira, Grady Diangana and Matt Phillips have all struggled for consistency, leaving the club’s forward line in tatters.
Snodgrass, to that end, would represent an instant upgrade on West Brom’s wide attacking options. The left-footed set-piece specialist boasts an impressive career tally of 26 goals and 23 assists in 163 appearances in the Premier League.
Considering that he has largely plied his trade for mid-table or relegation-threatened clubs in the top-flight, those numbers speak volumes of his pedigree as a creative player.
Read More
- Why West Brom should reignite their interest in M’Baye Niang
- West Brom urged to sign Jack Wilshere – Useful addition?
Verdict
Suffice to say, the acquisition of a seasoned campaigner like Robert Snodgrass would hand a significant boost to West Brom’s misfiring attack. The Baggies need to start putting up more points on the board to give themselves a chance of beating the drop. Having an experienced head like Snodgrass in the mix would definitely help them in that regard, both on and off the pitch.
