OPINION
Manuel Pellegrini was pulling no punches when naming his West Ham United side to face Sheffield United on Saturday.
The Chilean made five changes at the London Stadium, with big names such as Angelo Ogbonna and Manuel Lanzini missing out for the Hammers.
It nearly paid off perfectly in East London, as one of his replacements, Robert Snodgrass gave West Ham the lead, but they were unable to hang on as the Blades managed to steal a point in a 1-1 draw.
The Argentinian international was somewhat surprisingly placed on the bench after majorly disappointing against Everton, and Felipe Anderson was given the nod ahead of him.
Anderson disappointed majorly once again, and Pellegrini is still to find the perfect formula in behind Sebastien Haller in the final third.
It was Snodgrass who stole the show though on Saturday, as he tormented Sheffield United all afternoon with his class on the ball and from set-pieces.
The Scotsman got his rewards with his goal, and Lanzini, in particular, will have been watching on wondering what he will have to do to earn his spot back in the side.
Lanzini started the season in fine form, but that has slowly gone out of the window, and Pellegrini was forced to teach him a lesson against the Blades, as he had to settle for a cameo off the bench in the final quarter of the game.
Snodgrass was the constant threat that Lanzini is expected to be, completing two key passes as well as having two shots on goal according to WhoScored – exactly what an attacking midfield player should be delivering.
The South American is now surely facing an uphill battle to reclaim his spot in the side against Newcastle United next time out, as Snodgrass continues to shine and therefore cementing his place in the Hammers’ team for the foreseeable future.
