The Senegal international trained with the Hornets during his teens, but was denied a permanent contract by the club. Ba, who arrived at Upton Park from Hoffenheim last month and has scored two goals in two starts for the Hammers, is likely to lead their frontline against Liverpool on Sunday. And the 25-year-old admits it is satisfying to be plying his trade in the Premier League after Watford turned him down. "I had a good time at Watford, that was why I wanted to come back," said Ba in The Sun. "That was my first taste of English football and it has stuck in my head ever since." He added: "I was rejected from Watford and then a few years later I'm playing against Liverpool in the Premier League. It feels good." Paris-born Ba spent time with minnows Rouen and Mouscron before winning a switch to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim and finally a move to the English top-flight. And the striker admits he had to fight hard to get noticed by bigger clubs. He added: "When I want something I will do everything I can to have it. And that doesn't just go for football - that goes for my life. "I was brought up to have respect for each person you meet in life. "I know if I don't fight I'm not going to make it because people are not going to give it to me. "And the best place for me to show the fight is on the football pitch."
