Robert Snodgrass says West Ham United need to hit the same levels at Crystal Palace as they did in Monday’s draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool.
The Scot was part of the Hammers’ impressive performance against the Reds at London Stadium, but says that display will be rendered ‘pointless’ if they do not back it up at Selhurst Park.
Should West Ham do just that and score a victory in south London, they could go as high as eighth in the table this weekend and reignite their challenge for European qualification.
I can’t stress it enough, this was the West Ham way and what this club should be built on – hard work and determination, then the rest should come
Robert Snodgrass
“Listen, that’s the standard we need to set,” Snodgrass confirmed. “I think, when you play against the top teams, you need to be at it, you need to be at your very best and you need to have a team that’s willing to give everything.
“I can’t stress it enough, this was the West Ham way and what this club should be built on – hard work and determination, then the rest should come. To be at this level, you need to have talent, but you also need to have togetherness and desire to go and try and grind results out and take the game to teams like Liverpool.
“That’s the best way to show teams like them respect, by going at them, creating chances and working hard, and that’s what we did on Monday.”
West Ham defeated Crystal Palace 3-2 at London Stadium in December during a run of four consecutive Premier League victories that saw Manuel Pellegrini’s team rise into the top half of the table.
And a win in the reverse fixture this weekend would do likewise following a three-match winless run that included defeats at AFC Wimbledon and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
We need to find a formula that’s going to drive us forward because the fans are unbelievable
Robert Snodgrass
“We need to back it up at Palace otherwise Monday night was just pointless,” Snodgrass continued. “The manager came in and said ‘you can play like that against Wolves, then against Liverpool you played completely differently as a team’.
“Some words were said after the Wolves game and that’s sometimes what it takes and what it needs because when you’re having a go at people or the manager is having a go at you, it’s not because he doesn’t like you, it’s because he wants to win.
“We work hard all week and we want to try get everyone together with us and have a good season.
“We’re not too far off where we want to be. We’ve had many good moments this year, but also some bad ones, so the fans will be scratching their heads as to how we can play like we have done some weeks.
“We need to change that – producing two or three good performances, then bad ones creep up. We need to nullify that and to do so, we need to stick together and stop making mistakes.
“Everybody can see no opponent is an easy nut to crack in this league and it’s clear to see that. Everybody is trying to get into that bracket between tenth and seventh and we’re included in that.
“We need to find a formula that’s going to drive us forward because the fans are unbelievable. They’re willing us forward and that’s what it takes, so we must match that with our work-rate and give them something to cheer about.”