Having played for the reserves at the age of 16, it is easy to forget that Dominic Vose does not turn 18 until November.
The attacking midfielder, who signed his first professional contract with West Ham United in November 2010, has continued his development and improvement this season.
A strong and elusive runner with an eye for goal, Vose has played his part in the Under-18s' unbeaten start to the FA Premier Academy League season and also made his mark for the development squad.
Vose, who netted twice in Tuesday's 4-4 draw at Dagenham & Redbridge, has big ambitions after his goalscoring display in front of the watching assistant manager Neil McDonald and first-team coach Wally Downes.
"I think I did all right," he told whufc.com "I wanted to do my bit for the team, so I got my two goals and I'll crack on again for Saturday.
"I started wide on the right and tried to cut in off the touchline, then I went in the middle of a flat 4-4-2 with George Moncur and I think I did all right in there. I went wide on the left and got my second goal from there, so it went well for me.
"I got a last-minute call to play and I came in and I think I took my chance so hopefully I'll be involved in the next game.
"Hopefully I've shown the senior management what I'm about and I'll get a look-in sooner rather than later. I want to get more reserve-team games under my belt and push on from there."
Vose is one of a host of youth team players who have shone this season, with the likes of Robert Hall, Blair Turgott, Elliot Lee, Kieran Sadlier and Leo Chambers all earning rave reviews for their performances.
Hall has recently been loaned to League Two club Oxford United - a move that has further stoked the fires in Vose's belly.
"Of course it motivates me. It's better for Rob to be out there playing in League Two than playing in the development squad. It's better for him, so hopefully I can do the same.
"I feel I can come on and do a bit at senior level. It's all about getting the opportunity to show what I can do."
While a loan move may be in Vose's long-term future, he is likely to be involved in the Hammers' youth-team fixture at Portsmouth this Saturday.
After winning their opening five matches, the Under-18s had to battle back to draw 2-2 with Southampton last weekend.
"We've been doing well and we're six unbeaten. We drew on Saturday which was a bit disappointing, but we go away to Portsmouth and hopefully we can get a win under our belts.
"We've been strong at the back. We've got Leo Chambers at the back who is an England player, then Dan Potts, Jake Young and Kenzer Lee - defensively we're very good.
"Attacking-wise, we're great, and the coaches have done well for us. The training sessions are good, so it's a team effort.
"Us second years found it a bit hard last year, but as senior players we are now trying to show the first years the way forward and there's a great work ethic in the team at the moment."