Snoddy hails ‘terrific’ win

 

• Robert Snodgrass celebrated victory on his full West Ham United debut at Southampton
• Scotland star won free-kick for match-clinching third goal in 3-1 Premier League win
• No11 sets target of finishing the 2016/17 season in the top ten

Robert Snodgrass was all smiles after enjoying a ‘terrific’ 3-1 Premier League win at Southampton on his full West Ham United debut.

After impressing as a substitute in the midweek defeat by Manchester City, the Scotland star was handed his first start at St Mary’s, and responded with a typically effective performance.

The left-sided midfielder was always available, was involved in many of the Hammers’ best moments and won the free-kick which Mark Noble converted for the visitors’ match-clinching third goal.

“It was a hard one on Wednesday but the lads bounced back terrifically, especially after going a goal behind, the character we showed to get the win was terrific,” he confirmed.

“The lads worked so hard for each other and took our chances when they came, so it was a terrific three points.”

The No11 was full of praise for his teammates and the way they took their goals on the south coast, where Andy Carroll opened the scoring from an inch-perfect Pedro Obiang through ball, before the Spanish midfielder netted his first goal for the Club with an accurate 25-yard strike.

Those strikes saw West Ham overturn a one-goal deficit after Manolo Gabbiadini had smashed Southampton ahead, and Slaven Bilic’s side completed a deserved victory when Snodgrass was fouled on the edge of the home penalty area seven minutes after half-time.

The lads worked so hard for each other and took our chances when they came, so it was a terrific three points

Robert Snodgrass

“The first goal was a great finish from a great through ball,” Snodgrass observed. “Big Andy did what he does best with a terrific run into a good position and he put it away with his right foot. I didn’t even think he had a right foot, to be honest, but he’s put it away great!

“Obiang’s was a great finish and Noble deserved it because he was brilliant.”

Despite having been with the Club for a little more than a week, the former Hull City player has quickly settled into Bilic’s squad, with the banter flying between him and the likes of Noble, Carroll and James Collins.

While team spirit is clearly important, Snodgrass knows football at the highest level is a results business and is now targeting his first home win in Claret and Blue when West Bromwich Albion visit London Stadium on Saturday 11 February.

“The lads have been terrific,” he confirmed. “Everyone has been so welcoming. The fans have wished me all the best and I just wanted to get down to business and playing games and starting games and working hard for the team.

“We need to keep going. We’ve got a home game against West Brom and we’ll go in believing we can win and get some more points on the board with the aim of finishing in the top ten.”