Jordan Hugill is aiming to play a part in West Ham United’s ‘massive’ Premier League meeting with Southampton after scoring his first goal for the Club.
The centre forward netted West Ham’s third in in Wednesday’s 3-1 friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge, confidently slamming home Ben Johnson’s right-wing cross with three minutes remaining.
Hugill had spoken before the game about catching manager David Moyes’ eye and he was delighted to cap a committed performance with a goal, and now hopes to be given the opportunity to find the net again when the Saints visit London Stadium on 31 March.
I’m really excited for the Southampton game, which is a massive game for the Club
Jordan Hugill
“I’d like to think I gave a good account of myself,” said the No12, who has featured twice as a Premier League substitute since his January move from Championship club Preston North End. “Obviously, the goal was good for me and good for the team and the 90 minutes I played and the hard work I put in should put me in the manager’s mind.
“But, at the end of the day it’s down to the manager and not down to me and it’s one of those things where I’ll keep plugging away and plugging away and, when my time comes, I’ll be ready for it.
“I’m really excited for the Southampton game, which is a massive game for the Club and one that, if I play my part in it, I’d be delighted. It’s a massive game so hopefully we can come out on top.”
Hugill showed many of the characteristics that made him such a popular figure at Preston against the Daggers, holding the ball up, battling with defenders, running in behind and popping up in dangerous positions inside the Dagenham penalty area.
The 25-year-old saw two shots blocked in the opening 45 minutes and had a second-half strike ruled out for offside, so when his reward finally came late on, the striker was naturally pleased.
“It was a good run out and I think we did well in the end. The score-line was good for us and I was obviously delighted to get on the scoresheet.
“At the end of the day, the main thing for me was to get 90 minutes under my belt and get that work in that I’ve been missing out on recently, so that was the main thing for me.
“Their lads got a few blocks on my shots on the six-yard line, so it was a bit disappointing in the first half for me as I felt I should have had two goals, but I kept working hard and got my reward in the end.
“I was delighted with the finish in the end but the main thing for me, as I said, was to get the 90 minutes.”