Alex Song is grateful to West Ham United for giving him the platform to shine again
Alex Song is not about to rest on his laurels having made a big impact during the first five months of his loan spell at West Ham United.
Song made just 19 La Liga apperances for his parent club Barcelona last season, but it already just three short of that figure this term and is making the most of playing regular football once again.
The Hammers take on Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday with Song eager to play his part in what promises to be a fine Boleyn Ground occasion.
He said: "Everything has gone very well for me here and the fans, the Club and my teammates have helped me a lot. I'm happy, my family is happy and I just want to perform to pay them back.
"it was frustrating last year. The thing that hurt was my kids not being able to see me play every week. My boys say to me 'Daddy why aren't you playing' and it's hard to explain how it's not easy at Barcelona, there are a lot of good players and I have to improve myself.
"That's football, sometimes you go somewhere and the people don't like the way you play. You have to keep believing - I've come back to England and I just have to keep going.
"I had a lot of opportunities and it wasn't very hard to make the decision to come here. I wanted to come to England, I spoke to the Gaffer and he asked if I'd like to go to West Ham.
"I asked how we would be playing because if I went to a team who doesn't play football I would be lost. He said we're playing very well, and I said to my wife, ok, what shall we do?
"She was telling me we had to come to London as well. So I said we'll go and today I think she's right to tell me to come here."
Looking at Sunday's game, Song is expecting a tough test from Manchester United, but one his team could overcome should they hit their best form.
He added: "It will be a very good game for us on Sunday. They're a big team and a big club and it's a big week for us.
"We have a lot of players injured, but we just have to fight with this team. I played against Di Maria when I was at Barcelona and he's a good player, but it's not just him, they have good players.
"We don't focus on one player, we focus on the team. We know the danger can come from everywhere. We need teamwork and with that we can get results."
Song made just 19 La Liga apperances for his parent club Barcelona last season, but it already just three short of that figure this term and is making the most of playing regular football once again.
The Hammers take on Manchester United at the Boleyn Ground on Sunday with Song eager to play his part in what promises to be a fine Boleyn Ground occasion.
He said: "Everything has gone very well for me here and the fans, the Club and my teammates have helped me a lot. I'm happy, my family is happy and I just want to perform to pay them back.
"it was frustrating last year. The thing that hurt was my kids not being able to see me play every week. My boys say to me 'Daddy why aren't you playing' and it's hard to explain how it's not easy at Barcelona, there are a lot of good players and I have to improve myself.
"That's football, sometimes you go somewhere and the people don't like the way you play. You have to keep believing - I've come back to England and I just have to keep going.
"I had a lot of opportunities and it wasn't very hard to make the decision to come here. I wanted to come to England, I spoke to the Gaffer and he asked if I'd like to go to West Ham.
"I asked how we would be playing because if I went to a team who doesn't play football I would be lost. He said we're playing very well, and I said to my wife, ok, what shall we do?
"She was telling me we had to come to London as well. So I said we'll go and today I think she's right to tell me to come here."
Looking at Sunday's game, Song is expecting a tough test from Manchester United, but one his team could overcome should they hit their best form.
He added: "It will be a very good game for us on Sunday. They're a big team and a big club and it's a big week for us.
"We have a lot of players injured, but we just have to fight with this team. I played against Di Maria when I was at Barcelona and he's a good player, but it's not just him, they have good players.
"We don't focus on one player, we focus on the team. We know the danger can come from everywhere. We need teamwork and with that we can get results."