West Ham United slipped into the relegation zone for the first time since the opening weekend of the season last weekend after they let a two-goal lead slip against fellow strugglers Brighton and Hove Albion.
David Moyes’ side should have overtaken the Seagulls, but some costly errors at the back prevented the Hammers from drawing their rivals in closer to the drop. In spite of his side’s poor results this season, Robert Snodgrass has been in inspired form and is proving to be an unsung hero in the battle to keep West Ham afloat.
The fixture against Brighton was no different as the Scottish international had a hand to play in all three of the host’s goals, scoring twice and assisting the other, to scoop the man of the match award. His exploits on Saturday mean that the 32-year-old is West Ham’s leading attacking force, as no Hammers player has contributed more than Snodgrass’ nine combined goals and assists.
Only record signing Sebastien Haller has scored more than the midfielder’s five Premier League goals, while no player has provided a higher number of assists than Snodgrass’ four in the top-flight.
There have been some considerably more high-profile arrivals at the London Stadium since Snodgrass arrived in 2017, most notably the Hammers smashing their record transfer twice in the past two seasons on Felipe Anderson and Sebastien Haller. However, it is the 32-year-old who is having the most significant impact on the pitch this season, as he looks set to break his previous Premier League best for goals (seven), and assists (six), this term. Even after the disastrous result against Brighton, it is becoming increasingly challenging to picture West Ham surviving without Snodgrass’ influence as he has now had a hand in almost a third of their 30 Premier League goals during the 2019/20 season.
Should West Ham escape this season’s relegation battle with their Premier League status intact, Snodgrass will have played a vital part. With two goals and three assists in his last six Premier League matches, the 32-year-old is in tremendous form and is on course to post his best top-flight season to date. With others failing to exude conviction, Snodgrass is West Ham’s unsung hero battling to keep them afloat.
