Exclusive: Super Kev reacts instantly as West Brom complete Jan swoop for Snodgrass
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips admits he’s taken aback by Sam Allardyce making winger Robert Snodgrass his first signing at West Brom.
Albion confirmed the 33-year-old’s arrival on a permanent basis from West Ham on Friday after Allardyce targetted an early January swoop for the experienced attacker.
According to The Athletic, the Baggies have paid a nominal fee for the former Leeds, Hull, Norwich and Aston Villa player as he was in the final six months of his contract at the London Stadium.
However, Phillips admits he has “mixed” feelings about Snodgrass’ arrival in the West Midlands due to him feeling Allardyce already has plenty of strength in depth out wide.
“Yes, it’s a good signing. He’s a good player but in that area, they’ve got some quality players,” Phillips told West Brom News.
“I think the big thing about the signing is that he’s got Premier League experience. He’s proven that at West Ham but it’s not the area I thought Sam would strengthen straight away – I thought he’d go for a centre-half.
“He’s got [Grady] Diangana, [Callum] Robinson, [Matheus] Pereira and [Matt] Phillips in those positions Snodgrass can play in.
“I was a little bit surprised but I can see why [Allardyce would want him]. He knows the player, he’s got Premier League experience but I thought the first signing would have been a centre-half.
“I’m sure that might be the first of two or three but I’m a little bit surprised just because of the players that are already there.”
West Brom do have a lot of wide players in their squad but Allardyce might want to trim that down this month with Kamil Grosicki strongly linked to Nottingham Forest in the last transfer window and Kyle Edwards so far out of the picture he might as well go out on loan.
Snodgrass can also play a central role and Albion could do with some extra bodies there.
However, the new Albion signing has most likely been called upon by Big Sam to add a heap of experience to a squad that isn’t all too familiar with the situation they’re in.
Snodgrass has been relegated before and has also avoided relegation. His experience could come in very handy as West Brom battle to avoid the drop.
In other West Brom news, Paul Robinson is blown away by this latest Albion transfer news.
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