Tony Pulis comments on how West Ham spell affected Middlesbrough’s Jordan Hugill

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Jordan Hugill played just 22 minutes of Premier League football at West Ham United but finally scored in the Championship for Boro on Saturday.

Jordan Hugill had looked a player shot of all confidence in recent weeks.

The 26-year-old striker endured a dreadful spell at West Ham United in the second half of last season, playing just 22 minutes of Premier League football in five months for the Hammers. And it seemed that this had taken its toll on Hugill as he struggled to rediscover his mojo on loan at Middlesbrough.

But his performance in Saturday’s Championship clash against Wigan Athletic could prove to be a turning point. At the 13th time of asking, Hugill finally opened his account for Boro from the penalty spot before firing in a second just minutes later, thumping a volley into the top corner.

Hugill showed flashes of looking like the striker who bullied defenders during an excellent spell at Preston North End.

And, speaking to The Gazette, Middlesbrough manager Tony Pulis has paid tribute to Hugill’s improvement – and suggested the failed £10 million move to West Ham took its toll on the striker.

“I was really pleased that Jordan got the two goals,” Pulis said of the local lad.

“What people have missed, and I’ve said it before, is that the lad went from Preston to West Ham and was never involved in any football at all in the Premier League.

“The players are delighted for him because he’s such a good lad around the place. He works so hard, and he’s got his qualities. I don’t think this will do him any harm at all.

“Getting the two goals can only help, and to be fair to him, he didn’t want anyone else to take that penalty. He was really keen to take it, which is brilliant. The great thing about him is that he’s got that little bit of steel about him.”

Whether Hugill has any sort of a future at parent club West Ham, however, remains to be seen. The Hammers’ lack of a prolific, natural centre forward has been a problem for a number of years now but Hugill will have to build on Saturday’s impressive performance if he’s to be handed another Premier League opportunity.