Grass is greener again at Hammers

ROBERT SNODGRASS insists he’s still a happy Hammer, despite enduring 18 months of mayhem.

The former Hull and Norwich winger has only played eight times for West Ham since signing and is on his third manager.

Played out of position by Slaven Bilic, Snodgrass was farmed out to Aston Villa on loan following a bizarre exchange with Hammers co-owner David Sullivan.

Sullivan said his children had begged him not to sign Snodgrass, prompting a tweet from the Scotland star saying: ‘Thanks for the support, Mr Chairman’.

Bilic got the boot and when David Moyes was brought in, Snodgrass was already at Villa for the season.

The one plus was he missed fans venting their fury at the owners last season as the Hammers flirted with relegation.

But now he’s back in East London and ready to make a fresh start.

“It’s never nice to see your team-mates, guys you’ve played with, and what went on with the fans and stuff,” said Snodgrass, who scored in the 3-1 friendly victory over Villa on Wednesday.

“I wanted them to do well. It’s one of those situations where you are watching with your heart, but there’s nothing I could do because I was out on loan. It’s hard. It was hard for the lads.

“This season? I don’t think it can go as low as that, running on the pitch and different things.

“I don’t think that was to do with the players. More the relationship between the fans and the board, so hopefully that’s all sorted.

“Put all the other stuff to one side. We’ve got a whole load of new players and let’s hope they can just go out and express themselves.

“Listen, you can’t question the West Ham supporters – they’re there in numbers and they’re vocal.”

Snodgrass revealed he’s had a chat with new boss Manuel Pellegrini and the signs looks encouraging.

“The manager has spoken to me and he touched on when I played against him for Norwich against Manchester City.

“He said, ‘I want you to get to that level’, because he knows I can play in the Premier League.

“I’ve done it. I’ve proved it. I’ve scored goals at that level. It’s a new manager and it’s a fresh start.”

Snodgrass has quickly settled back in at West

Ham, adding:

“My family live still in London, my kids are settled in school.

“I’ve always loved my time at West Ham. I’m happy to be back.”