As both his reserve-team manager and his close friend, Alex Dyer was delighted to see Luis Boa Morte return from injury this week.
The Portugal midfielder came back after more than eight months out with a serious knee injury - suffered during the Barclays Asia Trophy in China last August - in the 4-1 Barclays Premier Reserve League defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
For Boa Morte, the joy of coming through a planned 45 minutes of football would have understandably outweighed the disappointment of watching his young team-mates concede three second-half goals to a vastly more experienced Wolves side.
Dyer, who was a guest at the 32-year-old's wedding last summer, was happy to see the popular player back on the pitch.
"It was good to have Boa back. He played 45 minutes, which was all he was meant to complete and, for someone who has been out for eight-or-nine months, he showed good energy and fitness levels and got stronger as the game went on.
"He is a credit to himself and also to the medical department, especially Stijn Vandenbroucke, who has worked with him early every morning and late after everyone has gone home.
"It was great to see Boa back on the pitch. He's an honest professional and when times have gone bad for him, he doesn't shy away. He digs in and the crowd have been appreciative of that as his career at West Ham has gone on.
"His injury came at a bad time because the crowd were just starting to see the best of him. Hopefully now, if he can get a couple of friendlies under his belt, the supporters might be able to see him before the end of the season, which would be good for him. He has worked hard, his body is in great shape and he is a good professional."
Dyer was also happy with the application shown by his young team, who gave a Wolves side featuring seven full internationals a stern examination before fading slightly in the closing stages.
"The score-line didn't reflect the way the boys played. They worked hard all-night long. They showed a little bit of inexperience at times, which cost us the game, really, but overall we did OK and I was pleased with the boys."
West Ham's reserves have enjoyed a productive season under Dyer, with a host of youngsters continuing to show great promise.
The Hammers conclude their season with a home game against Fulham on Tuesday 27 April, and the manager is determined to end on a high.
"It would be good to finish on a positive note. Fulham are going to be a strong side - their reserves are having the best season they have had for ages. We're playing well this year, though, with a mixture of a few experienced and a lot of young players. They've acquitted themselves very well.
"Next season will be better for the reserves, because the boys will have had another year under their belts. The likes of Callum Driver, Jordan Brown and Eoin Wearen have come in for the first time and done great. Then you have the second-year scholars who are moving up, the likes of Callum McNaughton and Cristian Montano, who have come in and been brilliant. Hopefully they will continue to develop next season."
West Ham United reserves: Kurucz, Driver, Sanchez, Spence, McNaughton, Brown, Lee (Barrett 61), Payne, Boa Morte (Edgar 46), Montano, Dixon (Wearen 75)
Subs: Cowler, Abdulla