OPINION
West Ham defender Reece Oxford must take inspiration from his teammate Robert Snodgrass after a report revealed how the midfielder revived his Hammers career.
The 6ft 2in tall centre-back (Source: Transfermarkt) is currently so far away from featuring for the first-team that he is playing his regular football for the club’s U-23s.
So far Oxford has been in impressive form for the Hammers’ youth side as he has not only done his defensive duties but has registered two goals in his four outings in the Premier League 2 and has represented his side well as captain.
However even with Manuel Pellegrini’s side currently looking defensively weak there seems to be no suggestion that Oxford is about to be brought in from the cold.
The 19-year-old, who has featured a grand total of 17 times for the Hammers in his career, had two separate loan spells at Borussia Monchengladbach last season and surely thought his days in London were numbered.
That has turned out to not be the case as with many countries’ transfer windows slamming shut, it seems Oxford is at least at the London Stadium until January.
The enforcer’s attitude has always been dubious in recent times, rightly or wrongly, and he needs to showcase the promise he once demonstrated in order to originally break into the Hammers’ first-team again as well as prove that he is determined to give his all the club.
Oxford publicly pledged himself to the club and shared that was ready to be called into action whenever the club needs him.
“The manager has expressed his desire to keep me at the club and I want to repay the faith he has shown in me,” said the teenager in August, as quoted by Sky Sports.
“I’m ready if they need me. I believe they do need me. So I’ll be ready.”
Although these words are meaningless and he needs to let his actions do the talking.
Oxford’s Hammers teammate Snodgrass was once so frozen out at the club that he ended up on loan at Aston Villa, yet as it currently stands he is currently one of the only players putting in performances worthy of praise this season.
According to Football.London the 31-year-old winger forced his way into Pellegrini’s plans by impressing with his training ethic as well as delivering the goods when handed an opportunity.
Oxford should take inspiration from how Snodgrass has revived his Hammers career as not only does it demonstrate that it’s possible under Pellegrini in particular, it shows the enforcer what needs to be done in order to convince the experience manager.
This means the young centre-back must put his head down and work hard in order to follow Snodgrass’ example so he can also change his fortunes for the better at the club.
