Monday 23 January 2017 08:36, UK
Andy Carroll insists the ongoing situation with wantaway midfielder Dimitri Payet will not destroy the spirit within the West Ham first-team squad.
The Hammers have recorded back-to-back Premier League victories since the influential France international informed manager Slaven Bilic of his desire to leave the club.
Payet has not featured in the wins over Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough and is currently training with the club's U23s, with former side Marseille yet to agree a deal to re-sign him.
"Our response just proves what the lads have got deep down in themselves - our passion for football, for the manager and for our club," Carroll said.
"No one player is going to destroy anything. I think the fight the lads have got, the fans standing behind us, it's all been great.
"It is a very tight-knit group, the tightest it has been since I joined."
Carroll followed up his sensational bicycle kick against Palace with another two strikes in West Ham's 3-1 success at Middlesbrough on Saturday, taking his tally to four goals in his last six matches.
The victory at the Riverside also lifted Bilic's men into the top half of the Premier League for the first time this season and Carroll believes the turnaround in West Ham's fortunes has been down to the spirit in the dressing room.
"The atmosphere in and around the place is fantastic and that shows on the pitch," the 28-year-old added.
"You go into the dressing room and the lads are laughing and joking.
"It helps to bring out the best in players, as you can see because we're on a great run."
