Paul Goddard is calling on Paul Kitson to fight his way back into
first team contention.
Paul made it four goals in two reserve games with his winner against Southampton on Tuesday night, and the Hammers' assistant boss insists that there is no ruling him out if he continues to do the business in the second string.
The player himself has already indicated that he feels has a new lease of life this season, but some observers have expressed surprise he has not yet made it to the bench this campaign.
But Paul Goddard stresses that there are no sinister reasons for that.
"Kitson is not fully fit - he has had a few problems with his hamstrings - and we had a reserve game cancelled last week which would have seen him one game closer," he says.
He insists that the 'second string' of forwards will get their opportunity because Fredi and Paolo, inevitably, will not always be fit.
"I'm sure the boys behind, your Todorovs and Defoes and Kitsons, can do better than they have done.
"Given the opportunity I'm sure they will, but the absence of Fredi and Paolo highlighted that the squad is a little bit on the small side."
As for first team matters, Paul says that people must not get carried away with one win.
"There is a long way to go," he says, "that is the nature of this game.
"Glenn knows it and we all know it; there are things said in the papers, but we try not to read them.
"Yes, that first win was very important for everyone, Glenn included, and I am sure he is very happy.
"But we are still trying to shape the team into how we want them to play."
And Paul reserves special praise for two of the French speaking defenders in the squad - one of whom played on Sunday, one of whom didn't.
"Songy took it well being left out; that's football, isn't it?
"He was very unlucky not to be in the team; he did make an error last week, but with Tomas coming in, and Sebastien doing very well at right back, the balance of the substitutes meant that Glenn wanted certain players on the bench.
"Rigo is fine, he accepted it, and he was in the changing room patting everyone on the back beforehand.
"Sebastien has been excellent in all our games so far, even at Middlesbrough when he went back to right back to be fair, so we are pleased for him."
Paul made it four goals in two reserve games with his winner against Southampton on Tuesday night, and the Hammers' assistant boss insists that there is no ruling him out if he continues to do the business in the second string.
The player himself has already indicated that he feels has a new lease of life this season, but some observers have expressed surprise he has not yet made it to the bench this campaign.
But Paul Goddard stresses that there are no sinister reasons for that.
"Kitson is not fully fit - he has had a few problems with his hamstrings - and we had a reserve game cancelled last week which would have seen him one game closer," he says.
He insists that the 'second string' of forwards will get their opportunity because Fredi and Paolo, inevitably, will not always be fit.
"I'm sure the boys behind, your Todorovs and Defoes and Kitsons, can do better than they have done.
"Given the opportunity I'm sure they will, but the absence of Fredi and Paolo highlighted that the squad is a little bit on the small side."
As for first team matters, Paul says that people must not get carried away with one win.
"There is a long way to go," he says, "that is the nature of this game.
"Glenn knows it and we all know it; there are things said in the papers, but we try not to read them.
"Yes, that first win was very important for everyone, Glenn included, and I am sure he is very happy.
"But we are still trying to shape the team into how we want them to play."
And Paul reserves special praise for two of the French speaking defenders in the squad - one of whom played on Sunday, one of whom didn't.
"Songy took it well being left out; that's football, isn't it?
"He was very unlucky not to be in the team; he did make an error last week, but with Tomas coming in, and Sebastien doing very well at right back, the balance of the substitutes meant that Glenn wanted certain players on the bench.
"Rigo is fine, he accepted it, and he was in the changing room patting everyone on the back beforehand.
"Sebastien has been excellent in all our games so far, even at Middlesbrough when he went back to right back to be fair, so we are pleased for him."