West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola says the players' support has lifted him.

Several of the Hammers squad have publicly backed the manager in recent days.

Zola told whufc.com: "The players have helped me very much. We are very much a unit. We know everybody here knows we are not doing a very good job right now, but we are trying very hard and we are committed to it.

"I'm here and I'm delighted to be here spending my time with my players and helping them. As long as I know that they are on the same lines as myself and there are no other problems, I know I can give them something that they need."

Zola also revealed that he had received messages of support from his close friends, family members and even fellow managers. "I've had a lot of support and I tell you that I'm blessed to be surrounded by people who are very supportive of me and that is a very important thing.

"The fact that you have people supporting and following you is the most important thing. Everything you do, you do for them. I've had a lot of support from them and from the players. Trust me, I don't like to leave things behind me that are undone and things are not completed and I believe that, here, there is still something to be done and I can play a big part in it."