West Ham fielded a strong team in their penultimate pre-season friendly ahead of the new Premier League season, but fans weren’t impressed by Robert Snodgrass – at least until the second half.
In the 5.30pm kick-off, that West Ham ended up winning 7-6 on penalties, new signings Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena and Jack Wilshere all started, with Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko both rested.
Snodgrass, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Aston Villa, was given a chance to impress new manager Manuel Pellegrini.
However, fans were not happy with what they saw from him in the first-half.
One fans said he was no more than Championship quality while another asked Villa if they’d take him back.
Here are the best reactions from West Ham fans:
https://twitter.com/McAvennie/status/1024344929588445185
Good first half, but you can already tell Snodgrass, Antonio and Arnautovic will not work out. Would rather have Yarmo, Anderson and Arnie
— J (@veryupsetfan) July 31, 2018
The problem is Snodgrass doesn't like playing there, has nearly always played on the right wing, makes no sense to me cos he's far better at crossing from the left, he's too slow to constantly beat players by cutting back when he plays on the right.
— The West Ham Way (@WestHamWayCom) July 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jvckist/status/1024341047118372865
https://twitter.com/Jvckist/status/1024338591810564096
https://twitter.com/imran484_khan/status/1024338396943196162
We’ll give you 5 million to keep Snodgrass
— J (@veryupsetfan) July 31, 2018
However, he appeared a changed man in the second half, and fans then flocked onto Twitter to praise him – especially after his assist gave his side the lead.
He made a great run down the right, beat two men and delivered an inch perfect pass to Toni Martinez who nodded home.
Unfortunately they couldn’t hold onto the lead and Mainz equalised in the 79th minute.
The game went to penalties, where Snodgrass scored his on the way to a 7-6 win, and he has given fans plenty of stuff to think about, as these later tweets proved:
Snodgrass masterclass ????
— . (@whufc_Haz) July 31, 2018
Snodgrass is like a new signing.
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) July 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/BillHorgan93/status/1024353522626777091
Snodgrass playing well for West Ham what’s going on
— Freelancer Ben (@FreelancerBen_) July 31, 2018
https://twitter.com/SeanSweeney09/status/1024353335502102528
OPINION
The West ham fans didn’t rate Snodgrass in the first-half today but he worked hard and at times appeared to be everywhere on the pitch. The second-half showed what he can do and that he deserves another shot in Claret & Blue. He might not be up to the standard of some of the new West Ham signings, but he’ll surely be a good player to have in the squad? He’s great with set pieces and crosses, and offers a different dimension to the West Ham attack. Will he be happy being a player who comes off the bench though? That’s probably his only option at the London Stadium next season. Aston Villa seem to want him back and they’ve had their transfer embargo lifted now, so that’s always an option if the price is right.