Sam Baldock is back at the Boleyn this Saturday and has goals on his mind.
The No7 has lit up the home of the Hammers this season, with doubles in the wins against Blackpool and Leicester City last month before drawing a blank against Bristol City on the first day of November. He is determined to put that right against Derby County.
Overall, Baldock has eleven goals in 16 appearances this season, including six at MK Dons. It is a fine record and the 22-year-old is delighted he did not have to wait too long to prove his predatory prowess in east London.
"I think it was important, especially as a striker, to get the fans onside and the other players onside," he said. "To stamp your authority early on and if you can get that goal, it takes the pressure off."
Baldock is the only Hammers player used in the npower Championship this season who has never played in the top flight, but he is confident he will get the chance to follow in his team-mates' footsteps next season.
"It was quite easy to choose West Ham. It is a Premier League set-up and it has Premier League ambition. I think if we carry on as we are, we will be there next year. The professionalism at West Ham is pretty high."
"I am the only player in the squad who has not played in the Premier League. It is good to learn from these types of players. The whole country pays more attention to the Premier League than they do any other division. That's where we want to be."
Baldock is certain the Hammers are in the right hands, and not just because the manager was the one who personally scouted him during his prolific start to the season at MK.
"He is very into his stats, he is very thorough. The attention to detail is very high. All the players are buying into it. The professionalism at West Ham is pretty high."
