"No one can rest on their laurels and everyone has to be on their toes every day in training.
"It is a great bunch of lads here, everyone has made the new boys welcome, and we are all working to put the team where they belong."
As the first of a quartet of new signings during the international break, Carl's arrival signalled the further evolution of the Hammers squad which has so pleased Alan Pardew.
Of the other three, he says:
"I roomed with Calum on Friday so I got to know him quite well - and he did fantastic for us on Saturday.
"He dealt with the long balls into our box, which is a big part of Sheffield United's game, and the whole defence from Rufus across to Hayden did fantastically.
"Chris Powell is a former England international so he has got great quality and Malky has great experience going up with Norwich, so they are great acquisitions for us."
Of his debut at Bramall Lane, Carl adds:
"I just enjoy playing football and it has been a long time coming because I was away with Wales after I signed and winning finished a good day.
"It was a good team performance and when you go to Sheffield United you know it is going to be a tough game.
"Everyone in the whole squad all put in their effort and we got our just desserts.
"The defenders were magnificent, sticking their heads in, but we worked well as a team - though I am a bit disappointed we didn't pass it that well in the second half and maybe we could improve on that part of the game.
"But the determination with everyone wearing a heart on their sleeve can only bode well for the future.
"We made some great opportunities in the first half and in the second; they got a goal which put the crowd behind them and got them buzzing but showed what we were made of against a big, strong, physical side.
"It was a windy day and the wind just caught the ball for their goal but we just had to put it behind us and luckily for us Teddy came up with the winner."
Carl rejects the assertion from Neil Warnock that the free kick which led to West Ham's winner was unjustified and he adds:
"Not at all; if they are going to question that for a foul then I think we can question their free kick but sometimes you get them and sometimes you don't."
Looking ahead, he adds:
"It will be a tough game against Rotherham on Tuesday again but, being at home, we will be looking to get a good win.
"We have got rid of all the bumps and bruises and I can't wait for it.
"The West Ham fans are great and you could see on Saturday how much noise they made - they have been used to Premiership football and great players - and we all know what is expected of us.
"We have to go out there and perform - and we know that."