Toni Martinez has enjoyed the experience of training with the West Ham United first team and is eager to keep working hard to impress the new coaches at the Club.
David Moyes is now more than a week into his tenure as West Ham United manager and confirmed his backroom team on Sunday evening with Alan Irvine, Billy McKinlay and Stuart Pearce coming in as his assistants.
With a number of senior players away on international duty over the last fortnight the new West Ham manager also invited the Club’s U23s to train at Rush Green, allowing Martinez and his teammates the chance to work under the new coaching set-up.
And the Spaniard has been impressed with what he’s learned from Moyes and his assistants already.
“It’s been a great week,” Martinez told whufc.com: “The U23s and myself have been training with the first team. It’s given us a chance to learn a lot and improve.
The U23s and myself have been training with the first team. It's really good for us and our development.
Toni Martinez
“He [Moyes] really wants us to work hard and he wants all eleven players defending as well. It’s really good for us and our development.”
Martinez’s impressive goal tally currently sits at eleven for the season, a number the 20-year-old attributes to the hard work of his fellow squad members.
And the striker is keen to continue working hard and scoring goals to further improve himself and the team’s standing
“I just try to do my best,” Martinez modestly answered when asked about his goal record. “I say that all the time. The team is brilliant around me and, with their help, I know I will keep scoring goals.
“I will keep working, keep my head down and putting in the effort to score goals and get even better.”
The U23s will return to London Stadium on Friday evening to play Derby Country and Martinez boasts fond memories of playing at the West Ham home.
The forward netted the first ever hat-trick by a Hammer at London Stadium in the U23s 4-2 victory against Manchester United last month.
And Martinez is excited to return to the pitch in front of the West Ham fans and is grateful for their support.
“I’m really excited to get back to London Stadium. I can’t wait for the match in front of as many fans as possible.
“It’s great that the fans are behind me, behind us, and it’s really appreciated. I’m really happy to know I have their support. I’m now looking to Friday’s match. It’s an important game.”
Tickets for Friday's game are free for Season Ticket Holders and Claret Members, and £5 adults or £3 concessions otherwise. Supporters must book in advance by clicking here.