Robert Snodgrass emerges as key player a year after being cast aside by West Ham owners and manager
The Scottish winger's future with the Hammers looked bleak this time last year after he was farmed out on loan to Aston Villa for the season.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Robert Snodgrass has emerged as an unlikely key figure for West Ham following talks with Manuel Pellegrini.
The Scottish winger's future with the Hammers looked bleak this time last year after he was farmed out on loan to Aston Villa for the season.
His West Ham career was beset by problems ever since he was signed in January 2017, in the aftermath of Dimitri Payet's acrimonious departure.
Joint-owner David Sullivan subsequently revealed in a newspaper interview that his children had begged him not to buy Snodgrass, while vice-chairman Karren Brady admitted his transfer "wasn't exactly a triumph".
Snodgrass himself later claimed that then Hammers boss Slaven Bilic did not even know which position he played in.
When new manager Pellegrini brought in nine players this summer the 30-year-old's prospects looked increasingly grim - but despite West Ham's slow start to the season Snodgrass has actually been one of their stand-out players.
"I spoke before we started the season with all the players and said all of them had a chance," revealed Pellegrini. "And when you have a chance to play you must demonstrate why you are playing.
"Maybe some players must wait a little bit more, but when they have the opportunity they must not miss it. He is doing very well and I am happy for him.
"I am not aware of his troubles last season. But I am not surprised with him because I saw him at Norwich, and I saw what he did last season at Aston Villa.
"I know him as a player, and after that it depends on the performance of the player.
"He started his pre-season with us, he did very well, now he is working, he is playing and now he must try to stay in the starting XI."
West Ham host Wolves on Saturday looking to register their first points of the season.
Marko Arnautovic and Mark Noble have been passed fit after sitting out the midweek Carabao Cup win at AFC Wimbledon.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments