The only problem Robert Snodgrass is seen to have by many is his age!
But very often the considerations of many are of far less importance than those of the man himself and the midfielder sees 32 years old as just a number.
It would be fair to put him in the same category as Pablo Zabaleta – who given his performance on Saturday – appears to have got his retirement from the Premier League next summer wrong! Here’s one hoping he has a re-think.
In Snoddy’s case he has a contract which expires in 18 months with an option which gives him another year and with no sign at all of those legs wearying it’s more than possible he could be around until close to his 35th birthday.
Snoddy is the ultimate professional and his dedication to the club is also seen in his decision to give up international football to extend his club career in the east end.
That he considers this a magical cub with magical fans is the reason why as he has explained @ https://www.whufc.com/news/articles/2019/october/27-october/robert-snodgrass-its-magical-club-magical-support.
On his return to action after a thin season he declared: “I think I created chances and scored and could have had another one when I slid in and hit the post.
I’ve given everything but I’ve only had one 90 minutes through pre-season and through ten games, which was against Brighton, so I’m trying my very best behind the scenes to keep fit.
“I’m 32-years-old but I feel as fit as I’ve ever been, but it’s hard, it’s tough, and I want to come in and do my best for the team.”
“The manager is in the hot seat and he makes the changes and does what he has to do. I really appreciate the support the fans have shown me when I’m in the squad and out of the squad. It’s a magical club with magical support.
“I’m just happy to try and show them what I can do. It’s very frustrating watching. Every footballer will tell you he wants to play games.
“I played a lot of games last season but the manager has made some signings that he wants to play and I get that. I’m a team player and I’ve had to bide my time and try to take my opportunities when they come.
“I love it here. I love the supporters. I just want to put performances on like I did and I could have had two. I just want to try to contribute to the team and to the club. I’m just an honest pro who wants to get his head down and work hard.”
This man is 10 times the player lanzini is in CM.
He is able to hit the ball powerfully enough to cross it into the box.
He can actually cross with whip, not just loft it high.
He chases down and closes space despite not being quick.
He puts his foot in and makes tackles.
He runs away from the man with the ball, creating space, not closing and condensing it down.
He doesn’t ask for the ball for pointless 2 yards passes back to the player from whom it came.
He knows when to release it rather than dribble into blind alleys to get tackled.
He doesn’t dive and beg the ref to give him a freekick whilst the opposition break and our players struggle to get back.
This man is 10 times the player lanzini is in CM.
He is able to hit the ball powerfully enough to cross it into the box.
He can actually cross with whip, not just loft it high.
He chases down and closes space despite not being quick.
He puts his foot in and makes tackles.
He runs away from the man with the ball, creating space, not closing and condensing it down.
He doesn’t ask for the ball for pointless 2 yards passes back to the player from whom it came.
He knows when to release it rather than dribble into blind alleys to get tackled.
He doesn’t dive and beg the ref to give him a freekick whilst the opposition break and our players struggle to get back.
He doesn’t play wild powerless cross field passes at the half way line potentially giving it away.
He plays centrally, both left and right, which is the job of a number 10. He doesn’t drift out wide left despite not being able to use his left foot (lanzini).¹
And he can take a corner beating the first man.