Junior Hoilett believes Cardiff's brotherly bond gives them hope of staying in the Premier League.

Cardiff remain in the relegation zone and two points from safety, despite ending a run of three successive defeats by beating West Ham 2-0.

But, after a week when former players Danny Gabbidon and Nathan Blake questioned the team spirit inside the Cardiff camp, there is fresh optimism that Neil Warnock's side can collect enough points in their final eight games to survive.

Hoilett described claims of dressing-room unrest as "nonsense" and insisted Cardiff's strength during the run-in will be squad unity.

"Everybody is like brothers in there," Hoilett said.

"What has been said is nonsense. You saw last season how we fought for each other.

"We have been like that all season as well. We are positive and everybody is fighting for each other.

"The last three defeats wasn't our character.

"But we fought for each other, we ran every inch on the pitch, and we just have to stay that way."

Hoilett's fourth-minute strike put Cardiff on the road to victory over the Hammers and gave the Bluebirds a half-time lead for only the second time in their 30 league games.

Victor Camarasa added a second seven minutes after the restart and Cardiff would have won by a more comfortable margin but for the shot-stopping ability of goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski.

But fellow strugglers Brighton, Newcastle and Saints all picked up precious wins as the battle for survival intensified.

"I didn't think it was a must-win," Hoilett said. "But, after seeing the results, it kind of was a must-win match.

"The results didn't go our way, but we needed that to keep the pressure on and keep (others) on their toes.

"That is what we needed, it was positive and we need to take it on to the next games."