Manuel da Costa has learned the "big lesson" of a tough three-match suspension and is hoping to take that frustration out on Stoke City this Saturday.
The Portuguese international defender has not just been working on his rapidly-improving English but has also been putting in the hours on the training field to ensure he is ready when called upon again. Da Costa was sent off for violent conduct in a reserve match at the end of last month, which meant a ban for the trips to Chelsea and Arsenal, and Tuesday's visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Available again, Da Costa may get a chance against Stoke in light of James Tomkins' foot injury, although Gianfranco Zola also has Danny Gabbidon available, along with the options of the versatile Jonathan Spector or Radoslav Kovac at centre-back. Should Da Costa get the call, he is pledging to be up for the fight - but in a controlled way.
"I am fit to play. My body is good and everything is OK. It has been hard to not play and to sit out for three games was too long. It is difficult when you have to come to watch the matches at the stadium and you can't play when you want to.
"This suspension has been a big lesson for me. To get a red card in the reserves and be punished in the first team is something that I will learn from and not do in the future. Now I know and I am here to work for the team first. I am working for Saturday and will give everything if I get my chance."
Da Costa would relish the chance to line up alongside Matthew Upson, as he has loved every minute of playing in the Premier League since his switch from ACF Fiorentina last summer. "I like to play in English football with passion and in a hard way. I am big and I like to use my strength.
"Now with the situation we are in maybe I can help. It is up to the manager of course and the priority is to win this game on Saturday. We have to fight in a fair way. We have seven matches left and every game has to be a battle for us."
Da Costa is confident the team can survive the drop but is under no illusions about the seriousness of the situation. A UEFA Champions League performer with Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, he is also firmly of the belief that the club can realistically aspire to better. It is a case of first things first, however.
"I know this team will not repeat this season again. We need to survive and I can see in the squad that everyone will make this happen. We have top players and we just have to make sure we stay in the division. Then, next season we can make up for it. We will have this memory and when you want to get somewhere, you have to remember where you have been."
He has no doubts the fans will be behind the team against the Potters but understood that emotions were high after Tuesday's disappointment against Wolves. "The crowd will be with us on Saturday. I know that and we have to give them something. We need to make sure they are with us from the start to the finish and then if it is not enough they can tell us at the end.
"That is OK. We are paid to do this job. I know it is difficult for the fans to come to watch and see us not play well. They are West Ham in their body and in their mind and they live everything by what they see. But we can make them proud."
While he is working hard on his game and impressing the Hammers faithful, Da Costa, who was born in France to a Moroccan mother and Portuguese father, has also done much to settle off the field into life in another new country. He already has playing experiences in the Netherlands and Italy.
"I love it in England. I have my family, my friends here when I need them. London is a good place and it is close for me to get back to France. It is a good life and when I go to the training ground I am happy because I feel at home. The players are welcoming and the staff have all been good to me. "
Still only 23, Da Costa is particularly grateful to Gianfranco Zola for his close attention and help as he has settled into his new life. "The manager has been good to me. I have a good relationship and so does everyone - but he expects us all to keep improving.
"He has been working with me on my technique this week. He does something different with all of us defenders. Sometimes he will spend time after training with me, sometimes with Upson, sometimes with Tomkins, sometimes with Gabbidon. He gives us all of his time and I am grateful."