Moving Target

Can Robert Snodgrass’ set pieces turn him into a viable FPL asset for West Brom?

Robert Snodgrass (£5.7m) became Sam Allardyce’s first signing as West Bromwich Albion manager last week, signing on an 18-month deal.

Will he help transform his new team’s fortunes and become a viable Fantasy Premier League asset in the process?

We’ve run the rule over the former Norwich City and Hull man to find out.

The midfielder had been largely frozen out of the team at West Ham this season, making four substitute appearances in the Premier League for a grand total of four minutes.

Snodgrass, 33, had been an important part of the Hammers’ side before struggling with a back disk injury, which kept him out of the second half of last season.

The former Scotland international is expected to go straight into the team at the Hawthorns, giving the Baggies some much needed Premier League experience.

“I’m absolutely delighted he has chosen to take up the challenge with us. He’ll add Premier League experience and quality to our side.”

Sam Allardyce

There’s currently no sign of Fantasy Premier League managers being tempted to bring Snodgrass in ahead of Double Gameweek 19, but should he be considered?

VETERAN

Allardyce made a name for himself at Bolton for taking experienced players thought to be over the hill and bringing out some of the best football of their careers.

The careers of Jay-Jay Okocha, Fernando Hierro and Gary Speed all experienced and Indian Summer thanks to their time at The Reebok.

And Allardyce is clearly hoping to get the same from Snodgrass, comparing him to Premier League legend Speed.

“He might be getting on but in his mind he still thinks he’s 20. Snodgrass runs all day, he’s got great quality and a huge amount of experience. He never gives up. Hopefully that will rub off on some of these players who will look at him and say, ‘My word’. Lifting the spirits and lifting the standards is very important at a professional football club. It’s even more important at a Premier League club.”

Sam Allardyce

Despite Allardyce’s comments, Snodgrass’ FPL returns have not dropped considerably as he has entered his mid 30s.

Last season he delivered a decent 10 goal contributions, scoring five goals and chipping in with five assists.

Despite playing fewer minutes, that was actually an improvement on the season before, suggesting Snodgrass could still have plenty to offer at Premier League level.

SWEET LEFT FOOT

Big Sam was keen to highlight Snodgrass’ left foot and how it would bring balance to his side, hinting at a role down the left hand side of midfield.

“He’s left-footed. We all look for balance. When you get the right balance in the team with left-footed players, they can really produce for you down that left side. I’ve heard from many, many people that he is exceptional in the dressing room which is a great bonus on top of his abilities.”

Sam Allardyce

West Brom’s two most effective attacking players of last season, Matheus Pereira (£5.6m) and Grady Diangana (£5.1m), who are both left footed, have struggled to replicate the form they showed in the Championship.

(Pereira left, Diangana right)

Allardyce even singled out Pereira for criticism, asking for more from the West Brom playmaker.

“It’s very simple. This is the Premier League and he needs to do it (play) quickly – much quicker than he did in the Championship. Then he will show his very skilful qualities. But if he chooses to do it at his pace in the Premier League, then he will not be successful.”

Sam Allardyce

Reading into these quotes, it is telling Allardyce has only started Pereira once in the Premier League since arriving at the Hawthorns.

And he appears to be equally unimpressed with Diangana, hauling him off at half-time in their 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal.

In the case of Snodgrass, it could be that Big Sam is looking for the midfielder to offer a greater balance in the middle of the park, with most of West Brom’s centre midfielders predominantly being right footers.

He would also add some much needed creativity, where other than Conor Gallagher (£5.5m), they are severely lacking.

But with both Pereira and Diangana struggling this season, it could be that Snodgrass finds himself playing out on the left flank.

SET PIECES

Throughout his career, Snodgrass has offered huge threat from set pieces, particularly from corners, as shown in his best 2016/2017 season.

With Allardyce setting up the Baggies in a defensive formation, they will need to make the most of set pieces if they are to pull off a miraculous survival.

Sam Inkersole, who covered West Ham for Football.London during Snodgrass’ spell, outlined the Scot’s quality delivery and what else he could bring to his new team.

“His qualities were obvious. Set piece delivery was impressive and vastly improved from what the Hammers had previously and simply, his work rate. Too many West Ham players that season (when he arrived) were passengers so it was no surprise they struggled.”

Sam Inkersole

Set pieces have already played a big part of the West Brom attack since Allardyce joined.

A towering header from Semi Ajayi (£4.8m) gave the Baggies an unlikely point against champions Liverpool.

And the big centre half netted again in the FA Cup against Blackpool, before they lost on penalties.

With a 6ft 3ins defender who can aggressively attack a ball in the other team’s penalty area, Snodgrass’ quality set piece deliveries may well find their target more often than not.

Should the pair be able to strike up a good understanding, then they could both turn into assets worth having in the second half of the season.

THE PROSPECTS

In a system that will suit his style of play, Robert Snodgrass could well deliver some good FPL returns for his new club.

His assist potential could also be bolstered by a new striker, one Allardyce is actively searching for.

“I am looking for a frontman, hopefully he’ll be coming through the door as quickly as possible. That’ll be from abroad, rather than from this country.”

Sam Allardyce

However, the main issue with bringing him into our teams is his price point.

Still priced up at £5.7m, he finds himself in the same bracket as former teammate Tomas Soucek (£5.3m), who has delivered consistent returns all season, and Raphinha (£5.5m), the dynamic Leeds winger who is starting to deliver goals and assists.

West Brom also face a torrid run of games in the next few weeks.

In their next seven the Baggies will face off against Manchester City, Manchester United, Spurs and Wolves, with returns looking few and far between.

Kinder fixtures against Fulham and Sheffield United in Gameweeks 21 and 22 will give us a realistic idea about what to expect from their attack.

Ultimately, Snodgrass appears to be priced just a bit too highly to be considered for a budget midfielder role.

But those looking for a punt on a differential midfielder, with the Scot currently sitting at 0.1% ownership, could be hugely rewarded when fixtures turn in Gameweek 25.

1,216 Comments Post a Comment
  1. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sterling>KDB for free?

    1. as33
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or keep it, he had some rest, and might start both games

      1. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        KDB looked knackered to me, would expect him to be benched for one of them. Sterling deffo start the next one despite his penalty!

        1. A. PRISE
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          This.

  2. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Torn between Salah and KDB on TC.
    KDB has the better fixtures but Salah has a higher ceiling.. Also some saying KDB could be benched for one game?? With the title race so close do we think Pep would bench KDB? His tailisman

    1. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      talisman*

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's Pep. He loves the roulette come rain or shine. I can't see it though because they are two deceptively tough games

  3. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Making some FanTeam wildcard drafts and it's really interesting to see who you might want for 19 and onwards.

    Martinez Sanchez
    Robertson Cancelo Coufal Fofana Mari
    Salah KdB Fernandes Soucek Foden
    Cavani Firmino 4.0

    One of my early creations. I don't like any of the forwards. Not a single one. This is also a FanTeam draft hence why I picked Firmino (extra point for playing 90 mins, extra point for being on the winning team).

  4. Our Man Charlie
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Brewster to Andy Caroll for a DGW BB punt ?

    1. onceuponatyne
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both certain to get very limited minutes.

  5. DangerFC
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Mc carthy fabianski,
    Dier, bailly, stones, dias, KWP
    Bruno, grealish, KDB, son, saka
    Kane, antonio, bamford

    Thoughts? I had planned a BB until the saints v leeds got pulled. I'm thinking I could still use it now as I'd still have 8 players on DGW. I'm just trying to weigh up would I be better using a free hit but I can only really see having no liverpool assets as the reason to use it. Keeping FH might be beneficial with there certain to be more cancellations of games leading to future DGW.

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No need to FH. And I also think you should hold your BB - bench McCarthy, KWP, Saka, Dier/Bamford.

  6. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A. Mitchell, Son to Cresswell, Grealish for -4?

    1. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek could be a better option than grealish for the DGW. Alot of uncertainty around villa.

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I already have Soucek.

  7. unclesbasement
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What are your guys opinion on triple captain. Anyone doing so and what player?

    1. DangerFC
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not doing it but KDB could be a good shout. two home games and he seems pep roulette proof

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Strongly considering Salah/KDB. Can’t see a better time to do it unless spurs have a good DGW at some point

  8. Eye Test Dave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it too big a risk to be getting Villa assets in still? Hard to know who has covid etc and with the double game week are there better options out there, ie Callum Wilson over Watkins or Barnes over Grealish

    1. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd arguably say they're at less a risk to missing games now after the outbreak. Depends if anyone has long Covid symptoms

  9. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best 6.2 defender, who isn't City, that has a double?

    1. Villa Velour
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell? Cresswell? The well's.

  10. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else WCing gw25?
    With me having 3 West Ham, wanting Kane back in and good fixtures for the big boys, I think it’s my plan and future transfers will be based around that
    Is there a DGW gw26 or blank??