Leeds United: The only way is up for Snodgrass and Leeds now
Published Date: 14 August 2009
By Phil Hay
A new contract tends to be a vote of confidence and the deal given to Robert Snodgrass seven days ago said everything about Leeds United's valuation of him.
Snodgrass landed a four-year contract last week, one of the longest held by any player at Elland Road, and, in clarifying where his career will unfold for the foreseeable future, Leeds also revealed the standard to which they believe Snodgrass can strive.
United's intention is to be free of League One in nine months' time, taking back the Championship position they surrendered meekly in 2007, and a promotion would be seen by Leeds as the first of two. It is still their wish to rejoin the Premier League at the earliest opportunity, a process which continues with tomorrow's game at Wycombe Wanderers.
The club did not plan for a slow recovery – two seasons of stagnation in League One were hardly supposed to define Ken Bates' time as chairman – and the implication of the contract offered to Snodgrass is that the Scottish winger could potentially cope in England's upper echelons.
The matter of contractual negotiations was, according to Snodgrass, "absolutely no worries". As it stood before he signed last week, he was 12 months into a three-year deal and perfectly happy without the bonus which came his way.
"It's good to be able to sort out your future," he said, "but it wasn't like I was desperate for a new deal. It wasn't on my mind until Leeds suggested it."
Nevertheless, it is satisfying for him to be able to say with some confidence where he will be playing in 2013, four years from now.
Snodgrass took a considerable leap when he left Scotland to join Leeds last summer, moving out of his family home in Glasgow for the first time. The challenge put to him by then United manager Gary McAllister was to sink or swim, and Snodgrass soon found his depth. Like the club, he is not concerned that the waters of the Championship or the Premier League would drag him down.
"You never get the impression that the club want to sit still," he said. "If we get out of this division (League One) this season the next target will be pretty obvious, and I get told by everyone that Leeds United will be a Premier League club again.
"At the moment, playing in the Championship is the next ambition for me and it's nice to think that I'll be wanted if and when we get to that level. I guess that's what the club are saying by giving me this contract.
"One of the best things about pre-season was that we got the chance to play against two Premier League clubs and a Championship club as well, and a lot of us felt we held our own in those games.
"I'm an ambitious player and I'd prefer it if those games were coming up every week – there's no point telling yourself that you can't play at a higher level!
"But, the truth is, coming to League One was the right move for me. I'm not sure that the highest level is all it's made out to be if you go there before you're ready – the last thing you want is to get thrown in at the deep end and sink.
"When I came away from Scotland, I had a lot to learn about the game."
Last season was an education for Snodgrass, introducing him to the rugged environment of League One – a competition far removed from Scotland's first division – and the traditions of the club he had joined.
His full debut at Elland Road was watched by 25,000 spectators, a contrast to his final season at Livingston where attendances often slipped below 2,000. Now relegated to Division Three north of the border, Livingston's crowd is liable to fall again.
The 21-year-old's first year in England consisted of 51 appearances, many made as a substitute but a substantial number were as part of United's starting line-up.
Simon Grayson named Snodgrass as a substitute for his first game as manager on Boxing Day, confessing he knew very little about the Scot, but Snodgrass scored in the final minute of a 1-1 draw against Leicester and was promoted for the following game. From that point on, his selection was rarely questioned.
A 48-month contract has secured a player seen by Leeds as a key asset, just as the three-year deal given to Mike Grella on Wednesday has similarly tied the American down. On one hand, the deals guarantees United use of both players in the long-term; on the other, as with Fabian Delph, they should see Leeds maximise their income if the club are talked into selling either before time.
Snodgrass said: "It's a big reward and there was never any real doubt about me signing it. The negotiations between my agent and the club went on for a few months because I had to make sure that everything was right before I took the decision.
"It wasn't that I had any doubts about signing for four years, but it's a major part of my career so I needed to be certain that it was all in place. I'm setting up things for my future with this.
"The thing that made me want to sign the contract was the club – the way they've been with me. I've had a lot of help behind the scenes and I've been well received by the supporters.
"I'm not sure how much they knew much about me when I signed but I've tried to give the club good value for their money and I've appreciated the support.
"No-one will be happier than me if I can play some part in helping them get out of this division. It's possible this season – very possible – and I'm confident we'll do it if we keep our eye on the ball.
"I know the club can do better and I know we've got a first-class squad for this league but you cannot assume anything. There's obviously a big picture to look at but step by step is the way we'll do it."
