Lars Jacobsen has revealed he is determined to do all he can to keep West Ham United in the Barclays Premier League.
The Denmark defender lines up against his old club Blackburn Rovers on Saturday knowing that nothing less than a victory will really do if the Hammers are to get out of the bottom three over the last three games of the season.
He is also fuelled by memories of a demotion while with Bundesliga side 1. FC Nuremburg in 2007/08 that meant he had to find a new club.
"Relegation is the worst feeling," the 31-year-old said. "It is not nice on your CV. It is about personal pride. A lot of people say you move on to a new club but that doesn't matter. It is personal pride on the line and the club's future. I can only talk about myself but for me it would be a disaster if we went down.
"At Nuremburg, I played the last five games and we had a chance to say in the league but we lost the last two. I can't really describe it. In sport it is the worst thing can happen. I am sure everyone will give 100 per cent for that like myself."
A model professional and young father who has embraced the club's ways, Jacobsen admitted he hoped his year in east London was just the start of a long association with West Ham. However, he has deliberately avoided asking for a new deal as yet, out of respect for the club's position.
"We are going to leave everything until after the season. It is such an important period and it would be wrong to discuss my future.
"It is more important that the club secures its future in the Premier League and then we can talk about. It wouldn't be right for me sitting in some office and discussing my future."
Jacobsen will be coming up against former team-mates on Saturday, including close friend Morten Gamst Pedersen possibly on the same wing. However, he knows he has to put all such relationships aside.
"We are professional players and when you are on the pitch you will do all you can to help your team. We have a job to do to.
"It is so tough to look at the table and see us down there week in week out. It is tough test mentally for everybody in the club but we are aware no one is going to help us. Only we can get ourselves out of this position.
"We have three games left. All are winnable and we have to make sure we stay in the Premier League. We have to make sure we do. That is our job and that is what we want."
Jacobsen said he has seen similar determination in his club-mates, with all of them committed to the challenge.
"It is pride, it is about the club, the future of a lot of players. I will do anything possible to help this club to stay in the league. It would be good for West Ham and for myself.
"I love West Ham and playing for the club. I could certainly see myself staying here for a longer time.
"I am optimistic. I think we have a very good chance. This game is it. I really have a strong belief that we can do it; it is three games, two at home and you can win all of them if you perform to your best. If we can win on Saturday it will give us a mental boost going into the last games and lot of belief.
"It is a lot about bravery. It is going to be tense. The crowd will be big and you need to play free, do what you feel is the right thing and not let anything from outside influence you."