WEST HAM boss Avram Grant remains optimistic about his side's chances of survival despite a demoralising defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.

The Hammers were thumped 3-0 at the Reebok Stadium; the eighth consecutive game the Trotters have got the better of the east Londoners.

Two Daniel Sturridge goals and another from Lee Chung-yong consigned West Ham to a defeat that keeps them in the bottom three, a point behind Blackpool in 17th.

Grant remained upbeat about his team's prospects, but admitted the performance had let them down.

“In the first half we played not so good, the second half we were better and made many chances but it was too late as they had scored a third goal,” he said.

“The situation is not good but it (survival) is possible. We're not far from safety. We need to win the next game.

“Until now bad situations have made us strong, I hope it will be the same in the next game. I think we can stay in the league but it will not be easy.”