Edvin Austbo may have walked away from Sincil Bank with the Man of the Match award under his arm, and a second goal in West Ham United colours, but the Norwegian was not entirely satisfied with his night’s work.

And when a young footballers reaction, following his best performance for his new club, is that he still has a lot to ‘improve’ upon, that is usually a very good sign.

Eighteen minutes later, Austbo set up Pablo’s first league goal in a West Ham United shirt with a fine corner kick.

On an evening where Arne Engels’ usually deadly set-pieces were well below par, the £12 million summer signing from Viking FK aced his audition to become one of Nuno’s go-to dead-ball specialists. Yet, Austbo was not entirely happy with his day’s work.

Edvin Austbo changed the game as West Ham United destroyed Lincoln City

Speaking to the club’s official YouTube channel after West Ham recorded their biggest away win since 1923, the Norway Under-21 international admitted that there was still a lot he needed to work on. And that bodes extremely well indeed. West Ham have themselves a baby-faced winger with not only the raw potential to go far, but the mentality too.

Featured comment

dantowen81951

For me, Austbo was the standout. An incredible impact off the bench, and what a finish that was for 2-0

Join the conversation →

“It was weird watching [the first half from the bench], and it was kind of weird playing as well. It felt a bit unnatural in the beginning, but I think we did well. We were resilient and got the goal before halftime, which helped us a lot. I was itching to get out there and play, and I’m really happy to get the goal. I’ve been waiting for a little while now, so it was fun.

“I just tried to get in and get some shots off in the half that I played. So I’m really happy I got one, and a good one.

“The final third is a part of my game that I want to improve, and I think I have a lot to improve. Even today, I had some crosses where I could have done better, so that’s something I want to work on.”

£12m bargain Austbo lives up to Nils Koppen’s prediction

There is a real unpredictable streak to Austbo’s game. For his goal, he darted in onto his right foot and finished emphatically.

Head of Player Recruitment Nils Koppen highlighted Austbo’s ability to cause havoc in ‘small spaces’, and this was a prime example. A game-breaking moment against the lowest of low blocks.

However, while it was refreshing to see him go down the left on occasions, his final ball still left plenty to be desired. One cross was ballooned right over the top of the penalty area. Another went straight into the arms of Lincoln keeper George Wickens. Such is Austbo’s insatiable desire for self-improvement though, this is a weakness he will be working around the clock to eradicate.

If West Ham get themselves a winger who can do both – cut inside and shoot, or go down the outside and cross – that £12 million fee will start to look like even more of a bargain.

“I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s been surprisingly good, and the players are a really good group,” Austbo says, reflecting on his first two months in England. “It’s been really fun coming to a really big city and a great, big club. It’s honestly just been a joy. I’m always looking forward to coming to the training ground to train with the boys, and obviously to the games.

“Three points is three points, so this is just as important as the big game. Now we look forward to Saturday [away to Swansea City], and we’re going to go there with energy, deliver a good performance, and hopefully take three points.”