OPINION
West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini needs to realise that he made a mistake in dropping Robert Snodgrass, and recall the midfielder as quickly as possible.
The Scotland international hasn’t started a match for the club since the team’s 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on January 2. He’s had to be content with cameo appearances from the substitutes bench.
His absence was sorely felt on Saturday as the Hammers crashed to a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth. He replaced Samir Nasri after an hour or so but was played too deep and couldn’t properly influence proceedings.
His recent removal from the starting line up is baffling when you consider the form he’s been in this season. The former Hull City man has been one of the team’s best players over the course of the campaign, resurrecting his West Ham career after a loan spell at Aston Villa last term.
The 31-year-old, on a reported £40,000-per-week at the club [Source: Spotrac], isn’t the flashiest of players, but he works extremely hard and is very good technically.
Not only have the team missed his work rate, they’ve had to do without his set piece deliveries for the majority of games, as well. Snodgrass is undoubtedly the finest deliverer of a ball at the club and when he’s not playing the team simply doesn’t offer the same threat from set plays.
Again, Snodgrass has been playing well this season. He deserves a spot in the West Ham team based on merit, not because he’s Pellegrini’s shiniest new toy like Nasri.
The Frenchman has taken Snodgrass’ place in the last few games. While he did well against Birmingham and Arsenal, he was anonymous against the Cherries.
Nasri is very much all or nothing, whereas Snodgrass is a much more reliable proposition. Pellegrini needs to accept his mistake and reinstate the Scot as soon as possible in order to steady the ship.
