Holland happy with debut

NH
  • New signing Nathan Holland made his debut for West Ham United PL2 last night
  • The Hammers drew 0-0 at home to Aston Villa
  • Holland said afterwards he was "happy" with his performance

New boy Nathan Holland was pleased with his first outing in claret and blue as West Ham United PL2 picked up what could be a valuable point against Aston Villa in Premier League 2.

Holland joined the Hammers last week on a 3-and-a-half-year deal and was given his debut by U23s boss Terry Westley on Friday night.

The 19-year-old winger played 60 minutes in the goalless draw and said the evening topped off what had been a "really good" week.

"It was brilliant to start the game after a really good week," he said. "I'm really happy and i think that performed well. The team played well also and we were unlucky not to win the game.

"I think we were dominating the game, playing well and I think we just lacked that cutting edge in the final third. All the boys tried right until the end and we were unlucky not to get that goal.

"I've really enjoyed my first week. All the lads have been really welcoming and I've settled in really well. It will only help me kick on and I'm really glad that I'm here. The aim is to keep training hard and get more minutes under my belt."

Holland spent a day during the week training with Slaven Bilic's first team at Rush Green, an opportunity which he admits came as a surprise.

"It was obviously my first week coming down and I got a text the night before saying I'd be training with the first team. It was much a surprise. I really enjoyed it and it was good to train with them. 

"It was brilliant. I was actually on his (Mark Noble) team and he was cheering me on and encouraging me. I had a smile on my face all the time.

"I'm happy with my performance. A goal would have topped it off but hopefully next game I can get a goal and that would be brilliant."