Having snapped up Jake Livermore from Tottenham last month, Steve Bruce continued to strengthen Hull City’s midfield by acquiring Robert Snodgrass from Norwich City. The 26-year-old arrives at the KC Stadium on a three-year contract in a deal believed to be in the region of £7m and makes his way back to the Premier League less than two months after dropping down into the Championship with the relegated Canaries:
Talking to the Hull official website upon completion of the deal, the Scot was clearly relieved to be handed a second opportunity in the English top-flight as the Tigers attempt to improve upon last term’s 16th place finish:
“After speaking to the owners and the manager, I was desperate to come here. I’m ready for a new chapter and I’m delighted that it’s going to come with Hull City. Having had two years of playing in the Premier League, it is where I want to be. Every player will tell you that they want to play in the top flight and I’m delighted that I can continue to do that.”
The History
Born and bred in Glasgow, Snodgrass displayed a single-mindedness as a youngster by turning down an apprenticeship at boyhood club Celtic and a trial with Barcelona to sign for Livingston instead. Handed his debut in 2004-05, he proceeded to score six goals in 42 appearances over two Scottish Premier League seasons before his club were relegated to Division One. Snodgrass played six times before picking up a metatarsal injury and, upon recovering, dropped down a division to help his rehabilitation, notching on five occasions in 12 games for Stirling Albion.
The following season saw the Scot establish himself as a key player for Livingston and, after netting nine times in 31 matches, was snapped up by Leeds ahead of 2008-09. In his first two seasons at Elland Club, Snodgrass’ impact helped the club climb out of League One into the Championship by serving up 16 goals and 12 assists in 86 appearances. Having delivered six goals and eight assists in his first year in the Championship, Snodgrass stepped up another level and delivered 13 goals and 15 assists in 43 appearances over 2011-12, winning the Player of the Year awards from both his team-mates and the club’s fans.
With many Premier League suitors circling, Snodgrass opted to sign for Norwich in July 2012.The Scot made his way onto Fantasy managers’ radars after serving up six goals and eight assists in his first season in the English top-flight but a total of six strikes and two assists in 2013-14 wasn’t enough to prevent the Canaries from dropping into the Championship. At international level, Snodgrass made his debut for Scotland back in 2011 and has gone on to fire three goals in 16 appearances.
The Prospects
There’s no doubt Snodgrass’ arrival will give Bruce’s side a much-needed boost in creativity for the season ahead, both domestically and in the Europa League. Hull scored just 38 times in 2013-14 – the fourth worst record in the Premier League – and their manager will be more than aware that, if they are to avoid the drop this time around, improvements in the final third are essential.
Although Snodgrass mustered just two assists last term, the stats show that his frequency of key passes actually quickened in his second year with Norwich. In 2012/13, he managed 66 key passes from 3,182 minutes – an average of 48.2 minutes per chance created – compared to 67 key passes (the same number as Steven Gerrard, for example) over 2,704 minutes last term, or an average of 40.4 minutes. Given that Tom Huddlestone was the most impressive Hull midfielder with an average of 56.8 minutes per key pass, it’s obvious that Snodgrass’ installation is clearly a step in the right direction and could turn out to be a masterstroke as Bruce looks to provide more ammunition for front two Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic.
Likely to be handed a major share of corners and set-pieces, the Scot’s dead-ball ability could bring him back onto our Fantasy radars – providing he remains reasonably priced across the Fantasy games. A of 6cost.2 in the recently-released Sky Sports game certainly bodes well for Fantasy managers looking to invest in the former Norwich playmaker and if he comes in around the 6.0 or 6.5 mark in Fantasy Premier League (FPL), his underlying stats certainly indicate he’s likely to prove the best route into Bruce’s midfield.
In terms of position, Snodgrass offers the Tigers options right across the attacking midfield areas. A reprisal of his right wing role for Leeds and Norwich could be on the cards and with a fit-again Robbie Brady on the opposite flank, Bruce’s options out wide will take a turn for the better. Tactically, the Hull boss rolled out a three-man backline on a number of occasions last term, with Ahmed Elmohamady as right wing-back, but the Egyptian is perhaps more likely to be utilised as a right-back in a four-man defence in order to accommodate Snodgrass further up the pitch.
After mustering just one win and a single draw across the last eight league fixtures of 2013/14, the release of next term’s Premier League fixture list affords Bruce’s side reason for early optimism. Over the first five Gameweeks of the new campaign, Hull square up to QPR, Stoke, Villa, West Ham and Newcastle – a run of matches which could allow the Tigers the chance of a quick start and, if his new team-mates can tuck away the numerous opportunities he will surely provide, bring Snodgrass back into our Fantasy plans once again.
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