READING FC’s Tyrese Fornah insists he has more to give, despite impressing on his first outing at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
The midfielder looked composed in the hour he was given, protecting the ball effectively and starting attacks.
Fornah joined the Royals on loan from Nottingham Forest two weeks ago.
Speaking after the game, he said: “West Ham is a good team, so it’s just good to get some minutes really.
“All of the boys, from first half to second half, we gave it our all. Even though it’s pre-season, we had the idea to try and win.
“It was a good result in the end, the boys gave a good account of ourselves and [we] just have to be proud of ourselves.
The 22-year-old linked up well with fellow loan signing Jeff Hendrick in the centre of the park.
Fornah hopes the performance can be the start of a fruitful relationship.
“We both came back a bit late from pre-season but just getting the minutes in our legs and building our understanding in training and obviously in the games,” he explained.
“It was good today, obviously he’s an experienced player so just to learn from him, play with him in midfield and get used to him and the team, it’s been great.
“It’s just about building relationships. I’ve only been in the building for under two weeks so I’m getting used to it and building my sharpness; this is not the best of me, there’s more to come.”
Fornah enjoyed a brief spell with the Royals as an academy player, before establishing himself at Nottingham Forest.
Through loans at Casa Pia, Plymouth and Shrewsbury, he gained experience playing in the men’s game.
Now at Reading, Fornah hopes to continue staying true to his footballing identity.
He said: “For me, just to enjoy every minute when I’m playing and just to be myself, that’s all I can be.
“When you’re a bit tense, you don’t play your game, so I just want to enjoy my football and learn from the gaffer, Alex Rae and the coaching staff, and just give the best account of myself.”
Born in Canning Town, East London, Fornah describes manager Paul Ince as the area’s ‘poster boy’.
“We’re both East London lads so I can relate to him,” he explained.
“What he’s done in his career, coming from the same area as well – he’s the poster boy.
“Everyone wanted to be like Paul Ince, so for me to have him as a gaffer for a year, he’s going to build my game up so much and I’m just so happy to be here.”
