He did, of course, answer his critics - who were hardly full of the festive spirit - in the best possible way by scoring early on at the City ground to set West Ham up for a win, but he was sad not to receive a warmer welcome from his former fans.
Not that there wasn't a crowd waiting for him after the game - to get his autograph.
"I was very delighted to score; it was good to get a goal there and hopefully I won't have to go back!" he smiles.
"You just have to carry on; I had a job to do and you have to block everything else out.
"If you start to think about those things you have got problems.
"I would say anyone would be surprised to get a reception like that after 11 years - it would disappoint anyone after being there so long.
"But I had to get on with the job; I am a West Ham player now and that is all I think about."
Marlon says the spirit in the camp is excellent and adds:
"I think the confidence is sky-high after the wins we have had; we had been lacking that 'fighting' bit at the end and now we have got that we have to carry it on.
"It was a great win at Wigan; the lads played well and deserved it.
"Preston is another game we should win, as they all are; we just have to carry on where we left off on Saturday.
"Our away form is good, we have been grinding results out, and that is what we have to do at home.
"With the team we have got I am definitely positive about the second half of the season."