So Snodgrass has finally made his move to Norwich, despite the change of manager it still seems to be Norwich’s goal to reunite our successful midfield partnership of 2010/11, I wouldn’t be surprised if Max Gradel is the next player on their list!It’s hard to explain how I feel about this as I feel that Neil Warnock did everything he could to keep Snodgrass. Very rarely have a seen Warnock be so passionate about one player, he is usually all about the team but he made no secret about how important Snodgrass was to his future plans and this is likely to put a huge dent in his preparation for Leeds’ next Championship campaign.
I always said to myself that I wouldn’t blame Snodgrass if he left as I firmly believe he is good enough for the premier league and he deserves it but I can’t help but question his move to Norwich. This is not a dig at Norwich as a football team, they have a lot of good players but long term I just cannot see the potential. If they stay up this year I can’t see it been a convincing season and it is becoming apparent that big investment is needed to consolidate in the premier league, Wigan continue to be the odd one out but how long can their fairy tale really go on for?
My point is that Snodgrass simply couldn’t wait. He has watched his team mates who are no better (probably worse) than what he is play in one of Europe’s top league’s and he wanted it for himself. Snodgrass is not a greedy player though, far from it. Chris Hughton is an honest manager, a good one but hardly a great one. I can’t help but think Norwich stayed up through momentum gained by previous promotions, that impetus that Lambert had driven into them; I personally think Hughton is going to struggle to replicate how good a job he did for Norwich. Second season is an entirely different proposition. At 24, some may argue that Snodgrass has not yet hit his peak which makes his decision to leave a devastating blow as there would have been other offers for him in the future; it was hardly last chance saloon. A part of me did think he would give Leeds another shot but what do I know!
Snodgrass and Howson have both rejected the chance to captain Leeds into the Premier League and become club legends, which let’s face it, they would have become. It’s hard to see how they will make a name for themselves at Norwich; Snodgrass probably had one eye on his Scotland carer which seemed to have stalled somewhat last year in making the move to Norfolk. If they stay up then his decision will be justified, especially if Leeds fail to gain promotion once again. On the other hand, if Norwich are to go down, I won’t be able to refrain from having a little chuckle to myself.
I wish Snodgass all the best, it shouldn’t be forgotten how much he has done for Leeds united through the years and it is a great testament to his ability how much his transfer out of Elland Road will hinder Leeds’ promotion hopes. Hopefully money gained from the transfer, rumored to be around 2-3 million, can go towards signing talented flair players who had the ability to change a game like Snodgrass and who knows, maybe we will still have a chance. Warnock will now also have to choose a new club captain which will be an interesting decision. My first guess would be Paul Green but it could even yet be a player who has yet to arrive at Elland Road.
In the meantime, here’s to hoping Norwich leave our future captain alone for a while!
Article by Daniel Howard