Nikola Vlasic is delighted to be off the mark for West Ham.
The Croatia international scored his first Hammers goal on his 16 appearance following his move from CSKA Moscow, adding the fourth from the bench as West Ham made light work of Watford.
It may not have been a decisive strike for West Ham as a whole, but it could be a game changer for Vlasic, who has felt the pressure to score since his move, which could cost the east Londoners upwards of £30million after add-ons.
“It is an unbelievable feeling, a relief after three months of struggling," Vlasic told the London Evening Standard. “The first one is always the hardest so I think everything will be smoother now.
“It's hard, it is always hardest to get the first and when you are playing 10-15 minutes in games there is not too much time but it goes down as one, two games more and then it is 13, 14 games without a goal so it is a pressure on you.
“When you score everything is easier so I think everything will be much better now."
The 24-year-old has hit double figures in his last two seasons when it comes to goals and is now looking to push on and try and replicate that in English football.
“You know for me in the last three seasons the target was always double digits for goals," said Vlasic.
“It was pretty hard in Russia because there is only 30 games, last two seasons I did that [hit double figures] and I always expect this but we will see if I can make it. There's not too many games and it depends on my opportunities. We will see."
