---
title: "Ashley Fletcher surprised at game-time so far"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2016/09/22/ashley-fletcher-surprised-game-time-far/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Michael Oliver"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2016-09-22T09:46:19Z"
modified: "2016-09-22T09:46:19Z"
---

# Ashley Fletcher surprised at game-time so far

West Ham haven’t really had a good start to the season at all.

Losing their last four games in all competitions and sitting in the bottom three of the Premier League with just three points isn’t much to shout about at this stage of the season.

One of the few bright spots, though, has been the cameo performances of striker Ashley Fletcher.

The 20-year-old striker signed for the Hammers on a four-year contract in July after his release by Manchester United and he’s made six first-team appearances for the club including starting away at Manchester City.

Having been used so frequently this season has surprised even Fletcher himself, he tells the West Ham official site, and he is somewhat surprised he’s still at the club and not been loaned out to a Football League outfit.

![Gareth Copley/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readwestham.com/readwestham/2016/09/597187604.jpg)

“I’ve definitely had more first-team chances than I expected,” Fletcher told [*whufc.com*](https://www.whufc.com/News/Articles/2016/September/20-September/The-Big-Interview-Ashley-Fletcher).

“Obviously those opportunities were down to injuries, but I hope I’ve done enough to stay in and around the squad and I want to keep coming off the bench, if that’s what it is, and doing well.

“It was a huge confidence booster for me, knowing that the manager wants to keep me here (rather than send me out on loan).

“I appreciate his support and that can only benefit me going forward and hopefully I’ll get more chances.”

Fletcher scored nine goals and tallied four assists in 26 loan appearances for Barnsley last season, including two goals at Wembley, one against West Ham rivals Millwall in their play-off final victory, and another against Oxford United to help Barnsley lift the EFL Trophy.

Given West Ham’s inconsistencies this season, expect Fletcher to remain in and around the first-team and to be given more minutes in the near future.