Zola gives us some Junior showtime
DEBUT BOY Junior Stanislas may have rubbed shoulders with the stars of Chelsea this season, but he was still apprehensive making his first appearance in claret and blue on Monday. West Ham s number 46 - the highest number used by the Hammers in a competit
DEBUT BOY Junior Stanislas may have rubbed shoulders with the stars of Chelsea this season, but he was still apprehensive making his first appearance in claret and blue on Monday.
West Ham's number 46 - the highest number used by the Hammers in a competitive match - played nine times for Southend earlier in the season, including two Carling Cup ties with the Blues, but this was different.
"I was still nervous," confessed the 19-year-old south Londoner. "Obviously playing at Southend helped because I've got a bit of experience against those sorts of players, but when you're playing for the team you grew up with, it's a bit more special."
Stanislas showed one or two clever touches on a dismal evening for the fans, and he hopes that he has done enough to stay in the manager's plans.
"I hoped I might come on today, but I wasn't really sure," he said. "The target is to emulate what some of the other young lads have done this season.
"When they got a chance they took it, so hopefully I did enough to get another chance. I have to just keep taking my chances when they come."
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One thing Stanislas will not forget is the reception he received from the Upton Park faithful when he came on to replace Savio.
"It gets you a bit more buzzing," he admitted. "It lifts you up a bit and gives you confidence.
"It's obviously a lot quicker, there's a lot of better and stronger players on the pitch, but you just have to get the ball and play it quickly and you'll be all right."
On first inspection, Stanislas certainly looks all right.
