HAMMERS manager Gianfranco Zola has revealed that a relaxed atmosphere and an emphasis on enjoyment has been the secret behind the team's recent success.

The Irons racked up an impressive unbeaten streak of eight games before last week's 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Despite that setback the team remain in contention for a UEFA Cup place bid as the season enters the final straight.

And Zola insists the environment that he and assistant manager Steve Clarke have tried to create is the key to the vast improvement on the pitch.

"Steve and myself have been footballers so we know exactly what the players like and don't like," he told whufc.com. "We want to set up facilities that allow them to enjoy themselves and get better. Once the players get this feeling then it's easy and down to them.

"It's nothing special. It's just we like working with them and we want to give them something to improve them and it's really working well. Hopefully, we're looking forward to improving even more."