Robert Snodgrass hits back at suggestions he was a special case for Manuel Pellegrini at West Ham

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Robert Snodgrass continues to grow in popularity at West Ham United but the Scot has hit back at suggestions he was a special case for Manuel Pellegrini.

The true extent of Robert Snodgrass’ rebirth at West Ham United has been laid bare.

Snodgrass has become the most unlikely of cult heroes at West Ham this season.

He has been reborn this season when his Hammers career looked well and truly over before it ever began.

After failing to establish himself following a £10million move from Hull, Snodgrass was shipped out on loan to Championship Aston Villa last season.

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West Ham’s very own phoenix

The 31-year-old looked certain to leave the club in the summer.

But a discussion with Pellegrini and a new determination to make his Hammers career work have turned everything around.

Pellegrini revealed that Snodgrass impressed him in pre-season and trimmed down in a bid to make things work.

Quite what has been behind the turnaround who knows but it has certainly worked.

Snodgrass has eight assists and four goals this term and his work ethic often sets the tone for West Ham.

‘I’m no special case’

“I don’t think I had to win anyone over,” Snodgrass told West Ham’s official programme.

“Everybody started with a clean slate and it was a case that the manager said he was going to give everybody a fair chance. If you looked at our squad, everybody has been used this season on numerous occasions so it’s one of those ones where I believed in myself.

“Football is up and down, but you’ve just got to be doing the best you can to take the chances when they come.

“For me, the biggest thing is trying to get in the team and then try to kick on and contribute and show why the club bought me in the first place, which was to assist in goals.

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‘Nothing about that first season’

“I am doing that and working hard to continue to do that. That’s the biggest thing for me.

“It’s nothing about that first season or anything; it’s this season and I feel as if I have proven that with goals and assists.

“That’s what you want to be doing. You want to be trying to help your forwards and I’m doing that right now. Long may it continue.”

As a result of his fine form Snodgrass was even recently named THE best in the Premier League.