Evan Ferguson was happy to be back on a Premier League field yesterday despite his West Ham debut ultimately ending in defeat against Brentford.
Ferguson made the loan switch to east London from Brighton earlier this month as he looks to get his career back on track following a prolonged injury period.
Even as he came back into fitness, starting both of Ireland's Nations League matches against Finland and England, his game time with the Potters was limited.
The Meath native came on at half time yesterday and although the 20-year-old couldn't find the net himself, he did set up the Hammers for arguably their best chance of the contest as he squared for Mohammed Kudus, only for the Ghanaian to clear the crossbar with his effort.
"It was good to get back out there and make my debut for the club," he told West Ham's YouTube channel.
"As the game goes, we all know, as a squad and as a unit, that it needs to be better. After the first half it was hard to get worse so as a sub coming on you just want to make an impact.
"I think the three lads that came on [he was introduced with James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Scarles], we gave the team a lift.
"I've played against teams like that before and I know what's coming. We trained during the week on what we need to do so it's not like I don't know what's going on.
"It feels good, I feel all right, to be fair. It's good that I'm in a new place, a new environment [and] have that fresh start."
It was a fourth defeat in six matches since Graham Potter took over in east London, but Ferguson sees brighter times ahead under the manager who gave him his debut as a 17-year-old with Brighton.
"It’s been good to work with him (Potter) again. I obviously know him well from his time at Brighton, but he’s come in and has new ideas, so it’s been a positive start, and I feel I’ve settled in well.
"It’s been all I could’ve asked for, and now it’s time to let my football do the talking."
While the Ireland international has made the move in order to play more soccer, he said he accepted the need to be eased back to action as he looks to regain his match sharpness.
"I understand it. I've spoke to him [Potter], we've had a chat, so I'm all right."
