Marlon was outgunned by rival Andy Johnson of Crystal Palace on Saturday; Johnson scored a hat trick at Crewe while Marlon scored West Ham's second at Stoke.
It means Johnson is top league scorer of the division and ahead by three goals with 26 to Marlon's 23 in the league.
So can he turn those blue boots he wears into the golden one?
"I am fighting for it; at the end of the day, though, promotion is the main thing," he says.
One of Johnson's goals was a penalty on Saturday; the previous week Marlon had enquired as to whether he could take the spot kick West Ham were awarded against Coventry.
David Connolly was the designated penalty taker and Marlon says:
"I wasn't fighting him, I was just asking if I could take it.
"He said things had to be done properly and that is fair enough.
"We were professional about it and got on with it - he is a top man."
Marlon says he is loving every minute of life at Upton Park and explains:
"You can't not enjoy it at this club - if you didn't like being here you must be mad.
"It has been fantastic, really."
This, despite not always playing in his favoured position up front.
"I try and put the work rate in and join the strikers," says Marlon.
"It is hard where I am now but as long as I am playing, I don't care."
Marlon is focusing his thoughts on facing Watford - without, incidentally, David Connolly who is suspended - rather than the bigger picture, and he adds:
"It is possible; anyone can do it, we just have to win our games and all we are thinking about is Saturday.
"Every game we come to we have to put a fight on and win.
"We have to win the battle and I just take games as they come - then we will find out from there."