Junior Stanislas is working hard in training with a spring in his step after his match-winning performance against Arsenal reserves in midweek.
The young winger, who has been in terrific form of late, scored the only goal of the game with a well-taken volley in the 24th minute at Bishop's Stortford. It was his first strike of the campaign after going close several times in recent matches. "It felt very good as I haven't scored this season," Stanislas told WHUTV.
"In pre-season, I scored a few for the reserves and the Under-18s so it felt good to get off the mark. I knew it was going in as soon as I hit it as I caught it quite sweet and it was travelling. As soon as I connected it was in the net."
The 18-year-old is building a bit of a reputation as a set-piece specialist after scoring plenty last term. So it was a different feeling he enjoyed after netting from open play against the Gunners. "When you work hard you score the free-kicks and when someone wins the penalties you score them, but this time me and Walter Lopez linked up well so it was good to score from that."
Lopez played a major part in Stanislas' strike after delivering an inch-perfect ball in from the left-hand touchline and the Uruguayan seems to have made a big impact on Stanislas. He said: "It's good to play with him [Lopez]. I played with him against West Bromwich Albion as well and it's a good partnership in training and we kind of understand each other.
"When you play with the older players, everyone is comfortable on the ball and if you mess up everyone is there to encourage you so that doesn't really matter."
The England Under-19 international had his first taste of the first-team when he was named on the bench for the Carling Cup match against Watford earlier in the season. He is obviously keen for more so was particularly pleased to get a goal under the watchful gaze of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke.
"It's nice putting on a good performance with the manager watching as I've had few niggling injuries and he hasn't really seen what I can do so hopefully I have shown him a bit more. If I keep consistently putting in performances I might get my chance."
If Stanislas's set-pieces were not clinical enough already, the West Ham United No46 will not have to look too far for some expert tuition. "I always see the manager working with some of the senior boys and putting mannequins up and hitting free-kicks and when they're done I get involved. Hopefully soon I'll start working with him as well and hopefully he can teach me a bit.
"He [Zola] has said little things to me every now and then. One of them is consistency, because sometimes I'll do good things in training but then maybe give the ball away but he just told me to keep consistent, don't stay wide, come inside and get involved with whoever is playing up front."
Despite taking the plaudits against Arsenal, Stanislas says he has a simple aim for season ahead. "All you can do is keep working hard and hopefully you will catch the manager's eye and he will throw you in."