Sam Baldock is eager to face Blackpool this Saturday and repeat his feat from last season in the process.
The Hammers No7 scored in the first minute when former club MK Dons caused a Carling Cup shock by defeating Ian Holloway's men in a 4-3 thriller. That goal helped set Baldock on the way to a terrific campaign, which he continued into 2011/12 and earned him a big-money move to West Ham United.
"I think that goal against Blackpool was inside the first minute," recalled Baldock when speaking to West Ham TV. "We went on to cause a bit of an upset and knocked them out of the Carling Cup. Hopefully a repeat performance will be on the cards and we will get a victory."
Having started his first game for the Hammers in the disappointing last home outing against Ipswich Town on 27 September, Baldock wants an instant chance to put things right this weekend. Although the team began that contest in a 4-4-2, the formation soon changed and the young striker was unable to make a real impact.
"I would like to show the home fans what I can do. I am itching to get out there and play, and score goals for the club. There is still a case of people getting to know the way I play and me getting to know the way the team plays and other people play.
"I think that is coming, it is getting better. We will be all right."
Helping him along was an invaluable 45 minutes against Thurrock last week to keep him ticking over, although he was given the weekend off and did not figure in another friendly played at his former club last Friday. The Thurrock run-out was more than welcome, however.
"It was just about getting the minutes. We coped well, we got our minutes in and got the win."
