Tweeting Turgott

Any West Ham United supporter who uses the social networking site twitter cannot failed to have come across Blair Turgott.

The young Hammers winger is a prolific tweeter, attracting more than 4,300 followers with his views on everything from football to fashion to music to the latest happenings in soap opera EastEnders.

The England Under-18 star's twittering has even seen him create a new fashion line based on the hashtag #DEEC - a shortened term for the word 'decent'.

While tweeting is the 17-year-old's first love away from the pitch, his focus is very much on his football at all other times.

"Twitter is good. The fans give me a good following and it's good to get a reputation for the right reasons.

"As for #DEEC, it started when I was away with England. I used to say 'Deec' for 'decent' and other players started using it and we became 'Team #DEEC'.

"Suddenly loads of people have started saying it. I got a T-shirt printed up with the slogan on and quite a lot of people on twitter have been buying them!"

After signing his first professional contract while still a scholar, Turgott has scored regularly, captained the Under-18s and progressed into Ian Hendon's Development Squad this season.

"I think things have gone well this year. I've developed and gradually got myself into the Development Squad. I've also captained the youth team, which was a good achievement, so it's been a decent season.

"My aim before the season started was to get 15 goals. I knew it would be a tough but I am working towards that target and I'm only one or two short with a few games left.

"Every year I aim to get better and that's my target. I've tightened up certain things in my game, but I've still got a lot to work on. I try to strengthen my strengths and improve my weaknesses and I've been reaping the benefits.

"When you become a second-year scholar, the manager expects more of you and you expect more of yourself. You try to set a good example and be a leader and spur the team on.

"Personally, I thought I did alright in the FA Youth Cup but it was gutting to go out on penalties to Chelsea like we did. It's about improving with every game and I think we've done that."

While Turgott is part of a team, like all second-year scholars his focus has got to be on his own progress towards first-team football.

With team-mates Dan Potts and Rob Hall taking the next step this season, the teenager is eager to emulate them as soon as possible next term.

"Obviously you've got to have a single-mindedness about you and make sure your ship is in order. You have got to be a leader at all times and make sure you give your all and do your part in every game. If everyone does that, the team will do well.

"Next season, I want to start putting in the performances from the start of pre-season and get my experience with the Development Squad and then in the first team or by going out on loan.

"I just want to show that I can play at the next level. I've seen boys I have grown up with doing it and I want to join them as well. It gives me more hunger and desire to push on.

"Young boys are getting the chances so I have to keep on doing the right things to get mine."