Kevin Keen has been hard at work this week determined to sign off on the disappointing season on a positive note.
The first-team coach will take charge of the side for the Kids for a Quid game against Sunderland on Sunday and knows the match represents the first step on the road back to the Premier League. A positive performance will give good heart going into a crucial summer of rebuilding.
"I will be picking the players that I think will go out and try their hardest for West Ham," Keen said. "That will play for the claret and blue shirt and give the effort and endeavour that perhaps at times has not been there this year. That is my idea for this Sunday. We want to play good football."
Keen has been in temporary charge for one previous game - away at West Bromwich Albion in September 2008 and described the role as a "great honour". He expects the team to give their all, and admitted he may give one or two youngsters a chance to stake a claim for the next campaign.
"The players have gone for it in training and tried to do their best for me. They are pulling for me and we want to go out on Sunday and give the fans something to cheer about. Relegation is a massive hurt. For me now that has gone and we have got to look to the future."
Keen was clear what he wanted to see from the team this weekend - the spirit and determination of Billy Bonds, with the attacking play of men like Alan Devonshire and Trevor Brooking. He believed there was a "fantastic core of young talent " that could form the bedrock of next season's team and make for a "successful, vibrant young West Ham squad".