Richard, who played in the reserve team's 2-1 defeat at Leicester City this week under the watchful eye of Glenn Roeder, insists there are no problems about him not having got a taste of first team action yet.
"I am just biding my time and hopefully I will get my chance," he says, knowing the a battle for a place in the middle of the park is fierce.
"Edouard has come along and has played really well, and Don Hutchison is coming back soon.
"But even just training with the players you are improving every day, and as long as that is happening, I am happy; the main thing is not to get frustrated."
He says that just one game could turn the campaign, and adds: "We have had slow starts over the past three seasons, but I think the players are still really positive, and it is just finding that performance that will get the season started - I'm sure we will."
Richard's other action, apart from the second string, has been with the Australian under-23 side on a mini-tour of Germany recently.
Richard scored a brace against last season's Champions' League finalists, and recalls: "We had a good time against Bayer Leverkusen, and the whole team played well. Then we played a German first division club, winning 1-0, but I can't remember their name.
"To score against such a good side was a nice feeling. I think the Australian football people wanted to give us a bit of stiff opposition, and we got it.
"Now I just have to keep working hard at West Ham, which is the priority."