Those who have watched him regularly run his heart out for the Hammers this season, covering just about every blade of grass in each game, might be surprised to hear him say: "I've been fairly tired in the last few weeks, playing with the wing backs then changing to the back four - I think I only played about 20 odd games for Arsenal last year and most of those were before Christmas.
"This year I'm getting up towards 40, and, though it's nice to have played so many games I'd like to make sure we are in the Premiership first and then I can have a good rest for next season.
"I'm sure anybody that plays would tell you that wing back is at least twice more demanding than full back - you are expected to be up in attack and then back in defence all the time.
"Whereas as a full back you are supporting the play and occasionally overlapping when you see situations developing. Wing back is far more tiring and physical, I can assure you that."
Which could mean a more genteel final campaign for Nigel, as Harry is looking to play 4-4-2 next season...
"If I wanted a breather I would retire," he smiles. "I push myself to the limit as much as I can because I still feel that with one or two more players the team could have a good season, whether it's 4-4-2 or five at the back.
"It could go well with a couple of new faces but people were thinking that this season as well; I'm excited about next season but let's make sure about this first.
"We don't want to think everything is plain sailing because we realise it is not - let's make sure we are there first and add to the squad for next season."
One win would do it, but Nigel concedes: "The Manchester City game is a big one for both teams; we really need another three points to be really safe, they need to win, so there is everything to play for and it should be a fantastic game.
"You have to be very professional and I don't think a lot of teams would give us a lot of sympathy if we were in that position, so we have to do the job to the best of our ability.
"It's a new experience but you have to face up to all challenges in life and there are no guarantees wherever you go you are going to be successful - you just have to get on with it.
"When I joined West Ham I looked at it and thought we could have a good Cup run which to a certain extent we did have, but after doing the really hard work we got knocked out at home.
"In the league I thought we could have been capable of a top six or seven place but we lost a few key players at important times of the season as well and when you are on a limited budget as I think West Ham are that does affect you in a big way.
"We have the players to cope but we haven't been consistent enough and done ourselves justice this year; we've played some really good football at times but haven't picked up the points we should have. And with a few poor performances away it puts you down the table."
Of last weekend's defeat by Leeds he says: "When we lost Fredi early I don't think we recovered from that, and giving the quick goal away as well, it was an uphill battle for us.
"And we didn't cope with Leeds the way we should have done, even though one player doesn't make a team, someone like Fredi does help in a certain way."
As for the sending-off controversy which so incensed David O' Leary - who amazingly claimed there was no contact, he says: "I haven't seen the incident again or spoken to Joe about it but he has got a semi black eye; although I'd much rather 11 playing 11 no matter what situation you are in, it's more entertaining. If it wasn't deliberate people can accept that even if it was a bad tackle."
Whatever the shortcomings of the team's performances this season, it has been personally a good year for Nigel with the smart money on him to be runner up to Stuart Pearce for Hammer of the year.
"Stuart has been outstanding this season." he says, "but I'm not really worried about the award - and I don't mean to be rude.
"Individuals don't win championships; I give 100% but I'm more interested in the team than me..."