Johnston appeals for calm
Chairman.” It was something Snodgrass has never had to deal with but he was never going to let it have an adverse effect.
He said: “I’ve never known a chairman at any club I’ve been at to say something like that.
“But I just thought I wanted to be the bigger person and not get involved. I could have said a few things that had gone on at West Ham but I didn’t need to. “I did the right thing by not going there. I hadn’t played a game for West Ham this season when he said it so I don’t see what I did that was so wrong. “When I was playing we’d got into the top half of the table but at that time they were in the bottom three so I don’t understand why he was still coming for me. It was a bit disappointing. “Where I come from, if you have a p r o b l em w i t h someone you just say it to their face. A lso I didn’t need anyone to tell me things hadn’t gone well for me at West Ham. If things aren’t going well in the workplace the first person I look at is myself.
“And the answer isn’t to argue about it in public – it’s to talk about it then get out playing to put it right. It was a bit of an excuse to look at everyone else except him. He showed his true colours.”
Snodgrass could easily have thrown his toys out of the pram at West Ham.
Through no fault of his own his reputation was suffering.
But he insists that even during the toughest spell he never stopped grafting.
He said: “That’s the type of person I am and the boys will tell you that.
“I’m always having a bit of banter even when it’s not going so well. The people at West Ham, including the lads and the manager, knew I was a good person to have about the place.
“I worked hard there and didn’t sulk when I wasn’t playing. That’s what being a team-mate is all about.
“Years ago I’d have probably had the selfish head on, being a boy from a Glasgow housing scheme.
“But you learn how to play in a team. At this level you can’t be telling people to f*** off if you’re not happy.
“The game has changed – you have to be part of the squad. I’m still learning every day. It was a very hard time for me to go into West Ham.
“I felt as if I was just filling a void in the team. At Hull I was one of the main men playing in my preferred position.
“From the off it wasn’t like that at West Ham. I still believe if it had been I could have done a job for them.
“In the summer I was doing treble training sessions and got very fit. I was winning our fitness tests and I was back.
“But I had two conversations with the manager – which I’ll speak about at a later date – that disappointed me.
“There was stuff going on behind my back and that was hard. I didn’t want to be part of that.
“I’m an honest, hard-working lad who just grafts away. I didn’t feel as if I was getting that back.” At Villa Park Snodgrass feels loved again. Along with ex-Tigers boss Bruce plus coaches Col in Calderwood and Stephen Clemence, he has fel low S c ot A l a n Hutton as a team- mate. Snodg rass has three goals and six assists in
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England’s second tier with the Villains moving in the right direction again after finishing 13th in their first season following relegation.
And the Scotland international is convinced he’s in the right place to get his own career back on track.
Snodgrass said: “I’m now at a club where there’s a really good culture among the lads and they understand me.
“They get what I bring to the table and I get on unbelievably well with them. There’s a good set of morals about them.
“Last week all the boys chipped money in to buy the staff presents. That kind of thing brings everyone closer together.
“It lets these people know we care about them so it’s a great environment. It feels like we’re all in it together.
“On the pitch I feel like I’m back to where I want to be. I’m happy again – I’m playing with a smile on my face and enjoying football.
“I always watch out for West Ham because that’s my club – I want them to do well. I haven’t spoken to Moyes yet.
“I’m out doing my thing and we’ll assess things at the end of the season.
“But I’ve worked with Steve and all the coaches at Villa before so I know what it takes to have success with them.
“We’re all pulling in the same direction and I’ve loved every minute of it.” Robert admits Snodgrass it would be feeling to play a “special” Villa a part in taking back into the Aston The winger Premier had no qualms League. down to the about £ ship dropping 10.2million Champion now move to West on loan under Ham after his to his old Hull went help Villa boss pear-shaped. get out Steve And He of the Bruce he’s said: “There’s second tier determined club. When always expectatio second time you get relegated n because around. gloom. People it’s a forget there’s always huge “You need how tough a bit of doom every small that is for a back up. club and I believe percentage of this If we to make sure size. keep we’re now our heads right on track you can d for where get “People think own and keep we ‘It’s p want to be. Aston you’ll get promoted rogressing Villa so we’ll get there. like they just because that. Clubs should be going of your like up’ – but name just it – going Brentford, Millwall and doesn’t work to let it happen. others such a tough The aren’t “It would be league and Champion one it’s getting ship is get of the best harder. Villa up – feelings of “I know my career it would mean how the world to help scenes hard people to me. to get them have worked back to where behind the “For me to they be play a part belong. special. It’s in that wou a great ld who deser bunch of lads ve to be in Premier the League.”
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Dunfermline gaffer Allan Johnston wants this week’s clash with Falkirk to be remembered for the best of reasons – and not another bad-blood controversy.
Bairns pair Kevin O’Hara and Joe McKee sit out the East End Park match as they are serving bans for mocking Pars midfielder Dean Shiels about only having one eye.
And five players have also been sent off in the three games between the bitter rivals so far this term.
Pars boss Johnston insists the Shiels row is in the past now – and has urged the Pars to retain self- control on the pitch on Tuesday.
The East End Park boss said: “We have to move on and focus solely on the game.
“Everybody wants to see a competitive match but you need to remain calm.
“There’s nothing better as a player than playing in a good atmosphere, where you’re getting a bit of stick from the crowd and it’s back and forward.
“You have to be able to handle that and keep your composure.
“Falkirk are trying to bring in new players and Paul Hartley wasn’t even in charge when the Shiels’ incident happened.
“So this is a total ly different and my hope is this game is only talked about because of the football.”
Bairns boss Hartley says he will tell his players not to attract the referee’s attention at East End Park.
He said: “My message to the players is to keep their cool and discipline.
“There has been a lot that’s gone on over the last wee while between both clubs but we have to focus on playing football and having composure and calmness.
“The big thing for me is the discipline, keeping a cool head and not gett ing involved in anything.
“We know what has gone on in the past but need to make sure we’re focused on winning the game.
“The f irst 20 minutes, when you tr y to get a foothold, is crucial but the atmosphere at these games is always special.
“We ’ l l take a large support and there’s always a good home support.
“It would be a great way to start the calendar year.
“It’s a game the fans, players and managers all look forward to.”