Neil grabbed a goal in the second string for the reserves midweek, and reveals that a chat with Alan Pardew motivated him.
"It has been a bit of a frustrating time of late but it was nice to play, and I managed to score in the reserves," he says.
"I have spoken to the manager who has told me just to keep my head up, and hopefully things will turn out all right for me.
"After speaking to the gaffer I just went out there, scored, did my best and could have got one or two others.
"I said 'it can be a bit frustrating for me' as I was in a similar situation to Liverpool, playing in the reserves.
"But he said he understands - and he believes in me.
"He advised me to keep training hard, and hopefully I will get the rewards - but that is up to me to do.
"It is a challenge for myself but certainly one I am hoping to take."
And talk of him returning early from his loan spell to return to Liverpool?
"I don't know how much truth there is in that but I don't much about it, really," he shrugs.
"I knew when I was coming down to a club like West Ham, a big club with lots of traditions that has just come from the Premier League, that it wouldn't be easy to play in the first team often.
"I came here for a bit of experience, albeit that I have only had a short experience in the first team - but I hope for more, that's for sure.
"We have only just got past Christmas and I am certainly hopeful to feature at some stage in the FA cup tie.
"It would be nice to come on and score the winner to get us in the quarter finals.
"To beat Fulham would be a great result for us and I am sure we will have loud fans like we did at Wolves."