Joey O'Brien is looking to bounce back from an injury-hit 2013/14 by working hard over the summer and making sure he returns in pre-season fit and ready to help West Ham United towards a better season.
The Irishman missed most of the second half of the campaign after sustaining a dislocated shoulder at Chelsea in January, only returning to the starting line-up for the final game of the season at Manchester City.
He was pleased that his teammates went on to secure Barclays Premier League safety in his absence and has his eyes on a stronger term next time around.
He said: "I was just getting going again at the end of the season after being out for a while! When it happened, I said if we got enough points on the board when I was out, I'd take being injured.
"That's how it worked out, and if sustaining the injury in that game was my little part to play, then I'll take that.
"For me, even though I got injured that day, the highlight was Chelsea away. It was a massive game and performance and the confidence that gave the team kicked off the great run which followed.
"Everyone was desperate to get something that day and we did."
O'Brien and his defensive colleagues helped West Ham keep 14 clean sheets in 2013/14 and that is one element of the team's play that they can be justifiably proud of.
He added: "We kept a lot of clean sheets and that was the base for the season. When the times were tough the defence and clean sheets kept us going.
"Towards the end of the season we were able to build on that and get enough points on the board.
"We want to kick on next season. I'll be working hard in the summer to try and get back into the team for the first game of the season."