Valerien Ismael refuses to answer question on West Brom man Robert Snodgrass
Valerien Ismael has refused to confirm why West Brom man Robert Snodgrass has been missing from the last two matchday squads.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Albion’s game against Nottingham Forest, the Frenchman was asked about the 34-year-old’s absence [Birmingham Mail].
However, Ismael refused to provide a proper answer and appeared to be irritated by the question, which is odd.
He said: “I picked the squad, as usual.
“I take the decision, the final decision, and this is the situation at the minute. There is nothing more to say about the situation.”
Something has touched a nerve.
This is a very odd answer to a pretty inoffensive question.
The former West Ham man has bags and bags of experience that could come in handy during this tough patch that the Baggies are going through, so it is normal to ask where he is.
Now, had Ismael responded differently and just said that he was lower down the pecking order at the moment, maybe things would have appeared more normal.
However, given the way he reacted to this question, you have to wonder if there is something else going on behind the scenes.
Snodgrass hasn’t had the greatest of seasons so far, but given that Jake Livermore is banned, the Baggies don’t really have another player who can fill in for one of Jayson Molumby or Alex Mowatt.
So, it does seem strange that he hasn’t been included in the last two matchday squads, and it will be intriguing to see if anything comes of this situation or if it turns out to be nothing.
In other West Brom news, Ismael has publicly backed one of his players to step up after a new blow this week.
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