Grady Diangana has not had to deal with too many disappointments since bursting onto the first team scene with two goals in West Ham United’s 8-0 win against Macclesfield Town in September, so he is determined to ensure the memory of Saturday’s FA Cup exit at AFC Wimbledon is not a lasting one.
Diangana has kicked on from that successful debut against the Silkmen to such an extent that he now has 13 Premier League appearances, an England U20 cap, and a new long-term contract on his CV.
The Academy product has not let that rapid rise to prominence go to his head, however, and is well aware of the challenges that lie in wait as he aims to take the next step on his Hammers career.
He points to the grounding he has received at the Hammers’ famous Chadwell Heath base – as the Academy home undergoes a multi-million pound upgrade – giving him all the tools to pursue a successful career at the
highest level.
“Getting the new contract gives me confidence that the club believe in me and it allows me to know I have time to improve and get better as a player, so I’m grateful,” he said.
"Putting on the shirt was special. I remember when I was around 13 or 14, I’d have little dreams of playing at Upton Park. I got to play once in a testimonial match, but putting on the shirt against Macclesfield was what I was dreaming of.
“And then I couldn’t have asked for a better debut – an 8-0 win, two goals, it was great.
“Now I’m at a point where I know the demands and the levels I have to keep, so that has been challenging, but I’m relishing the challenge.”
Getting the new contract gives me confidence that the club believe in me and it allows me to know I have time to improve and get better as a player
Grady Diangana
Helping him meet that challenge is the manager Manuel Pellegrini, who Diangana credits with giving him immense confidence since his breakthrough.
“He gives me great confidence and I’m so grateful he sees the little things – how hard I’m working and how hard everyone else is working, so it’s really good.
“When I first got the opportunity to play against Macclesfield, he told me to take it and now I look back at it, being given that opportunity and doing what I did has opened up doors for me. Now, it’s about kicking on and the hardest bit is to come, to prove to everyone that I am worthy of playing at such a high level.
"I’d like to cement myself as a Premier League player week in week out, scoring a lot of goals and assisting my team, but I’m not really looking too far ahead.
"Right now there’s three or four teams battling for seventh position, including Wolves, so it’s really important to beat the teams in and around us.
"It’s going to be a tough game because they play attacking football, great football. We just focus on every game as it comes, and hopefully we can qualify for Europe."