He says the tender years of he and many of his colleagues can not be used as an excuse in the final run-in and explains:
"In the last two away games we played like kids, we played like boys, and now we really must become men - and become stronger as a team.
"We have got to do the business now - grow up and become men.
"We must mature very quickly and take responsibility."
Looking back at the defeat by Reading, he adds:
"It was a big setback for us but we have to rise above it and look to the next game, which is Derby.
"It is not something you should dwell on; it is just something you should try and get out of your system so it doesn't become a habit.
"It is nice to have two games in such close succession; two wins can really push you back up there and help us forget Reading.
"The situation is one you can't turn away from - the pressure is there and that is the truth.
"It is a very important weekend, the most important so far, but I am very excited and looking forward to it.
"To a certain degree I am used to the pressure anyway having been at Wimbledon where there was a lot of off-the-field pressure.
"It is something that doesn't really faze me."
Indeed Nigel escaped putting relegation on his CV having left Wimbledon earlier in the season, and they finally got relegated in the 2-1 home defeat by Sunderland a few days ago.
"They went down fighting," he says "and it is very hard and disappointing for me, because I have a lot of friends there.
"But it is still very positive and they are looking forward to next season."
Meanwhile, West Ham are looking at the other end of the table, and, of the push for promotion, Nigel says simply: "Anything could happen."