Robert Snodgrass sets top-two target for Scott Parker at West Ham

Former West Ham United midfielder Robert Snodgrass has said a top-two finish needs to be the aim for the club’s new manager Scott Parker, after backing the timing of Nuno Espirito Santo’s exit.

Snodgrass highlighted the demands of playing in front of an expectant West Ham crowd but predicted sacked manager Nuno will recover because of his reputation.

The Hammers are currently down in eighth place after last night’s 3-3 draw at Cardiff City, which was Parker’s first game at the helm following Nuno’s departure on Tuesday.

“West Ham need to be in the top two, that’s a given,” Snodgrass told BOYLE Sports, who offer football odds.

Good fit

“Going through the play-off final would be great for the experience with the staff and players, but they want to try and go up automatically.

“Scott Parker obviously has an affiliation with the club and is good friends with people there. 

“They’ll know him well, how he works, and how he carries himself. I think it will be a good fit for West Ham.

“It’s an amazing club and one that needs to go on a run to get back to where they want to be.”

Snodgrass, who won 28 caps for Scotland, played several seasons in the Premier League for the Hammers – so knows the expectations of their fans. 

Departed manager Nuno coped well during the early stages of this Championship campaign after relegation, but the club have hit a sticky patch, including the successive home losses to Southampton and West Brom that cost him his job.

Tough

“Nuno being sacked, it just goes to show how quickly football can change,” Snodgrass said.

“One minute you’re sitting top of the league, and then a few defeats come along and that’s that.

“When you don’t win your home games, especially with that sort of passionate crowd behind you that wants to see exciting football, it’s tough. 

“In the Championship, you’re one of the favourites, and then you drop down, which they probably didn’t see coming. 

“When you drop out of that top two or three, especially coming off the back of last season, I feel you had to stay in that top two to make the fans believe you were the man to take them back up. 

“The wounds were there, and he’s just fallen short and found himself sacked.”

Timing is right

He added: “It’s never nice seeing people lose their jobs, but when you look at it, I think the timing’s probably right for West Ham to make that decision.

“I think from Nuno’s perspective, he’s been at a lot of big clubs and has a big name in management. 

“I’m sure he will find a new home and get another job, whether that’s quickly or not, I don’t know. 

“But looking at it, sympathy-wise, football is a business really.

“It’s never nice for people to lose their job, and he comes across as a really nice man. 

“But I can see why they’ve done it at this time, they’re probably conscious of dropping out of that top eight if things fester, which is why the club made the decision.”

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