Brighton & Hove Albion striker Sam Baldock hopes that he can kick on in the top flight, having made his Premier League debut on Saturday against West Bromwich Albion.
The forward entered the action during the second half at the Hawthorns to take to the field in England’s top division for the first time in his career – and he hopes that he can sustain a place in the Albion side now he’s tasted league action for the first time during the campaign.
He said, “It was a very proud moment because it’s something that you aspire to as a child, you always want to be a Premier League player.
“It’s been a long time coming for me and it’s been frustrating because I’ve been part of a Premier League squad without playing – so to be able to do that at the weekend was good for me.
“It’s not a day that I’ll look back on too fondly because the result wasn’t a positive one though.”
Chris Hughton’s men fell to defeat in the West Midlands courtesy of goals at the start of either half from Jonny Evans and Craig Dawson, but Baldock emphasised that the side could take some positives from the contest despite the result.
“The goals came at bad times for us – it’s a never a good time to concede but when you let goals in at the start of the half, it can throw all the plans you make out of the window somewhat.
“But we can take positives from it – they didn’t break us down from open play and I thought we created some good opportunities throughout the game and especially towards the end.
“We didn’t give up, but overall it was a frustrating day.”
With the gap between tenth and the drop zone only six points, the bottom half of the Premier League looks set to remain tight until the season’s end.
Baldock offered his thoughts on Albion’s first season in the top flight so far, as well highlighting the importance of a positive run of results – something they achieved earlier on in the campaign.
“I think we started really well – it’s always hard against this quality of opposition because you can’t even take your foot off the gas, otherwise you’ll get punished in this division.
“Every game is a hard one and as a promoted side we knew what we’d be up against this year.
“Momentum is important and if you can pick up some results in a row then you’ll do well – that’s the sort of belief we have here in the group – things may not be going our way at the moment but we know that we can turn things around and go on one of those types of runs.
“The table is so tight and every team in the bottom half will be saying the same sort of thing – if they can get a run together then they’ll do well, and that’s exactly what we’re thinking.
Next up for the Seagulls is the visit of Chelsea to the Amex Stadium on Saturday lunchtime in front of the television cameras.
The former Bristol City man admitted that although the recent months have been frustrating for him, he hopes that he can have a part to play in an upturn in fortunes for the team.
“That starts on Saturday [against Chelsea] – they’re the champions of England and they’ll be coming here thinking they can get the three points, so it’s up to us to counteract that.”
“Hopefully I can kick on now in the side, it’s been a really frustrating year for me.
“That’s ironic really because It’s the longest period I’ve had in a Premier League squad, but I haven’t played.
“I’d say it’s been the most frustrating part of my career, but now I’m raring to go, I feel really good and hopefully I can have an impact on the team in the coming months.”