Manager warns starlet Samuelsen he must improve to make it with West Ham

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Blackburn Rovers boss Owen Coyle has warned West Ham United loan starlet Martin Samuelsen he must improve to make it as a top player.

Blackburn Rovers manager Owen Coyle

The exciting Norwegian youngster has caught the eye with some dazzling skills in various loan spells and for West Ham’s development side since signing from Manchester City last summer.

He is a player Slaven Bilic rates highly and scored his first international goal for Norway’s senior side against San Marino during the last international break.

Many West Ham fans feel the playmaker will eventually be the natural successor to hero Dimitri Payet.

Martin Samuelsen in action

He is gaining vital first team experience on loan at Rovers this season, even if he has been used sparingly so far.

Samuelsen made his first start for the club in the win over Ipswich at the weekend and played just over an hour.

But speaking to Rovers’ official website, Coyle has warned the player he must improve a key aspect of his game to fulfill his obvious potential.

“You have to understand that he is a young lad and I’ve said to him that the nice stuff is fantastic but once you’ve beaten that player in the box then the cross has got to come in as he has a tendency to over-do it,” Coyle told rovers.co.uk.

Samuelsen has been used sparingly

“I thought it was important that we gave him his opportunity and I think he did some nice things in the game.

“It is just getting that cutting edge because when you are a forward I always feel that ultimately for all your good play you must have goals, you must have assists, and there must be an end product.”

It is sage advice from Coyle and when he returns to West Ham, Samuelsen will continue learning from one of the best in the shape of teammate Payet.

Perfect teacher: West Ham United’s Dimitri Payet

Last season Samuelsen said training and playing with the France star was considerably improving his game.

“I’m trying to learn as much as I can from him, we play in similar positions, similar roles so I try to copy some of the stuff that he does…. he’s an amazing player,” Samuelsen said at the time.