Sam Byram thrilled the fans with a very fine debut for the Irons yesterday but there was no more excited person inside the ground than the player himself.
Speaking to www.whufc.com after the game the signing from Leeds spoke of his joy at a first appearance that impressed even the most seasoned pundit.
He said: “I was surprised to come on that early. I was over the moon to be on the bench and be involved and see how they do things down here.
“When I walked out of the tunnel and saw the bubbles in the air and saw a full house with the fans cheering, it was great. Then to be thrown on, I was really happy.
“When you’ve got players like we’ve got in our team, it makes it easier, because you’ve got two or three options every time you get it.”
“It was obviously a massive step up. At the start of the game when I was watching, you could obviously see the speed and it was very fast.
“When you’re on the pitch it’s a different game. You try to stay calm and cool and, with the players we’ve got in our team, it makes it easier to play.
“The crowd were unbelievable. Whenever I got the ball and tried to do something, I got a cheer off them and it really does help when you’re making the step up to this level.”
Well done young man. Sometimes it helps to be thrown in at the deep end and you played very well against a top side.
Your one of us now and you know what we are all about,
You won’t find this at any other club
Great debut great signing
I thought he was out-standing & I can barely remember him doing anything wrong at all
His passing was great and he looked cool and calm … A wonderful start for him in the Claret & Blue
great debut and for all the pundits and knockers that do not know about the West Ham Way! you watched it last night what a performance I am still buzzing
Very impressed with this player. Looked as if he had been with us for ages. No integration issues, no pace problems, just a little inexperienced on a couple of plays. Did not deserve a yellow at all, but the ref was a donkey anyway.
Sad to say for Jenkinson, but between him and Byram, I have no hesitation. What a difference in calmness, behavior. The defence felt much more stable and the team more balanced with Byram.