OPINION
While West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini wants to be firm but fair by giving everyone an opportunity to impress him in pre-season, he must not waste his time on Robert Snodgrass.
The winger, who apparently is on a £40,000-a-week deal at the London Stadium as per Spotrac, spent his latest campaign on loan at Aston Villa and featured for them in the play-off final against Fulham on Saturday.
However while not wearing a Hammers kit at the time, Snodgrass’ performance should have told Pellegrini everything he needed to know about the winger.
The 30-year-old is clearly not good enough to feature at the London Stadium or in the Premier League next season as he woefully let down his temporary side on Saturday.
Nothing went right for Snodgrass during the game and he lumbered his way across the pitch unable to make a positive impact on the match in any way.
It was reported by Claret & Hugh , who specialise in Hammers news, that Pellegrini would watch the play-off final to see Snodgrass in action as he was due back at the London Stadium when his loan deal expires.
Upon viewing his display, if the manager’s first action wasn’t to place him on the transfer list then it would be a bizarre mistake to make.
While seeing a player firsthand may give a manager a better impression, that won’t be the case with Snodgrass.
The winger has had his moments in his latest campaign with the Villans, during his 42 appearances, but hasn’t looked head and shoulders above the other players in the Championship.
The Hammers need to add top quality players capable of performing in the Premier League this summer in order to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle next season, and Snodgrass’ return to the squad will see them in a battle for their top-flight status if anything.
It’s not like the £40,000-a-week winger didn’t have a chance at the London Stadium, even if it was a small one, and he never showed a reason for him to be at the Hammers previously in the 15 times he pulled on the jersey.
Therefore after a woeful final outing for the Villans, Snodgrass has punched his own ticket out of the Hammers and will not kick another ball while wearing a Hammers shirt if Pellegrini has any sense.
