Robert Snodgrass EXCLUSIVE: West Ham midfielder adamant they can avoid relegation, admits recent performances have ‘not been good enough’
West Ham midfielder Robert Snodgrass has told talkSPORT that he 'firmly believes' the Hammers will avoid relegation, but has urged his teammates to be 'ruthless' in their Premier League survival bid.
David Moyes' men currently occupy the final and third relegation spot, one point off fellow strugglers Aston Villa in 17th.
The east London side are without a win in their last five league matches, and now face back-to-back trips to both Manchester City and Liverpool.
Despite a gruelling 13-game schedule between now and the end of the 2019/20 campaign, Snodgrass maintains the Hammers have what it takes to cement their top-flight status for another year.
When asked if he believes West Ham can steer clear of danger, he said: "Yes, I firmly believe we can.
"We’ve got the players to do so. I think the Brighton game [3-3 draw] everyone will be disappointed with because we were in a great position and a few mistakes slipped, that’s when you let teams back in.
"In the Premier League if we are going to stay up we have to stop letting teams back into the game. Be ruthless and go and finish teams off, that’s what we’re working on."
He continued: "We’ve got more than enough talent to be up in the top 10 and fighting, but sometimes it doesn’t go for you.
"You need to be very harsh on the lads and let them know when you’re in a winning position and you throw away 19 points, at any level that’s not good enough.
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
"Players know that’s not good enough. The manager’s told us at this level you can’t let that happen. "That’s exactly what he’s [the manager] addressed. For the next 13 games, it’s up to us go out and prove it."
Elsewhere, Snodgrass admitted there have been some strong words from Moyes regarding this poor run of form, revealing the Scot has been 'very good' in bringing the squad closer together amid a challenging period for the club.
"He has come in and has been harsh on us at times where we have needed it because our concentration as a team has slipped," he added.
"[Against] Everton or Brighton at the back end of the game, that was points that we have let slip away, coming away from the game kicking ourselves.
"He has been very good at touching on all the small details, trying to bring us closer together as a unit, because when you are down the bottom of the table, confidence plays a big part and it is his job to give us that when we are feeling down through results or not picking up maximum points.
"Everybody is frustrated that we are down there, it is very difficult to put your finger on it. When it is like that you have to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'Am I giving enough?'
"I have been doing that daily. I just want to try and do the best I possibly can."