bbcsportsGianfranco Zola believes West Ham's push for a Europa League place has vindicated his decision not to compromise his football beliefs.
The 42-year-old Italian lost seven of his first 10 games in charge.
But he has since led his side to seventh place in the Premier League with three games to go.
"I stayed firm on my position and never lost my faith and in the end I was proved right, but it was a very difficult time for me," said Zola.
"When I was coming off the pitch every time with a defeat and no points, my beliefs were under attack.
"There was a moment when I was feeling uncomfortable because, when I started the job, I had a lot of positivity and I had an idea of how football should be played."
The turning point for Zola came on Boxing Day when his side beat Portsmouth 4-1 at Fratton Park. In the 20 games since then the Hammers have won nine, drawn six and lost only five.
With home games against Liverpool and Middlesbrough sandwiching an away tie at Everton, Zola's side still have plenty of work to do to fend off the challenge of Manchester City, Fulham and Tottenham for seventh place in the Premier league.
But the former Chelsea midfielder said his players were confident of achieving their goal.
"If we didn't believe we can reach the Europa League, we would not have fought so much against Stoke City," he commented.
"My players and myself believe we can achieve that and we are going to give everything on the pitch to make sure that happens.
"We know that every game in the Premier League is difficult, even if we were playing West Brom who are already relegated.
"We know there are difficulties but we know how much we care, how much fight we have put in so far.
"We are going to give it everything, if it is enough then that is ok, if not then we will try again next year."
Can't seeing us finish high enough for Europe TBH 
but fair play to Zola though, I wasn't sure about him when he got the job, but I think himself and Clarke have done a great job 
:Jimmie O':
