Matt Taylor felt lesser sides would have crumbled in the face of a rampant Manchester City on Sunday.
Though the Barclays Premier League champions prevailed 2-0, Taylor rightly took heart from the way West Ham United acquitted themselves.
The Hammers midfielder maintained that there was no disgrace whatever in coming out second best to the Citizens, the best team in the land.
"I thought we were solid and disciplined throughout the game," he told whufc.com. "Manchester City move the ball so well and it's difficult with the interchanging of positions to try and combat that. To be honest, I don't think we can be disappointed in the way that we played.
"We've come to the winners of the Premier League, their home ground, and didn't in any way shape or form do ourselves any harm.
"I believe, and it has shown over the season, that they're the best team. I think you'd have seen lesser teams, who probably didn't have a huge amount to play for other than pride, crumble. But we didn't do that, we stuck with it."
Philosophical in his assessment of Sunday, Taylor thought that Samir Nasri's strike was particularly harsh on the visitors.
He continued: "It's difficult physically when the other team have the majority of possession, but you have to accept that you're coming to Manchester City.
"The manager set us up in a way to combat that, but the first goal's from 25 yards and it's flown in. You'd argue that you'd rather he take a shot from there than inside of our box, but it was difficult to get close to them, because their movement is just exceptional and their one and two-touch passing is great.
"You understand that the atmosphere is always going to be intimidating. They win the game, they win the Premier League and it's arguably the best league in the world. You have to accept that as a player, you have to be brave and try to get on the ball, which I thought we did second half. But ultimately we just weren't good enough on the day."
"We came here earlier in the season with a depleted team and got well and truly beaten. This time we gave a good account of ourselves."
Elsewhere, Taylor made sure to pay tribute to West Ham's travelling army, even though he was unable to do so at the final whistle. And with the season now over, the 32-year-old is looking forward to a rest, albeit a brief one.
"One thing I must say is I was just a bit disappointed that we weren't able to go over and clap our fans for the support they've given us this season away from home, because of the pitch invasion," he explained. "Hopefully they'll appreciate that.
"It'll be nice to get a bit of rest, not too much, but let the body recharge for a couple of weeks and then get back to doing some exercise."