West Ham United midfielder Robert Snodgrass is a shining example to new signings everywhere.
The Scotland international has exploded into life at the club this season, after his Irons career looked dead and buried at one point.
The Hammers signed Snodgrass from Hull City in January 2017 for £10.2 million (BBC Sport), but quickly lost his way.
Snodgrass was so poor that it looked like the club would simply take a hit on him and accept the move as a failure.
But he was farmed out to Aston Villa on loan, and it was at the Midlands club that Snodgrass rolled his sleeves up and decided to get his career back on track.
Snodgrass was excellent for the Villans, with most fans hoping to see him join permanently.
As David Moyes left, and Manuel Pellegrini and a host of new players came in, it again appeared that Snodgrass’ chances of succeeding at the club were slim.
From ‘flop’ to indispensable
Snodgrass’ displays for Villa and his showings in pre-season were clearly enough to convince Pellegrini that he could be worth keeping hold of.
He started out the 2018/19 campaign on the bench, playing second fiddle to the likes of Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko.
But an ankle injury to the Ukrainian might just have been the true catalyst for Snodgrass at West Ham.
It’s enabled him to get the regular game time his hard work has warranted, and he’s now flourishing for the club where he is a fan favourite.
Not only does he possess brilliant quality on the ball, which is coming through regularly, but his attitude to the game is spot on which endears him to the supporters.
Snodgrass, one of the Premier League’s most in-form players right now with two goals and three assists in his last five, is just the latest proof that persistence in a player that has quality is absolutely key.
He’s now an integral part of Pellegrini’s side and a shining example to players who struggle in the early stages of life at a new club.