Slaven Bilic has likened West Ham's push for Champions League football to approaching a girl in a nightclub after saying the Hammers must be confident and positive if they want to end the campaign in the top four.
West Ham currently sit in fifth place in the Premier League table, just a point off fourth-placed Tottenham, following their comeback victory over Bournemouth in midweek, which means the east London side are now unbeaten in eight top-flight matches.
With the Hammers set to face Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, Bilic has said his team must be confident if they want to secure European football for when the club moves to the Olympic Stadium next season, and insisted any negativity would see West Ham fail in their aim.
"If you take a driving test and say 'I can't do it' of course you'll fail," he said.
"If you're approaching a girl in a nightclub and you think she's gonna tell you off and all that, no chance.
"But if you're positive, you have a chance for the Champions League or whatever - top ten or staying up."
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Despite having impressed this season, Bilic added his players are not getting ahead of themselves and are only focusing on picking up three points against Steve McClaren's side at St James' Park.
When asked if he believed the Hammers could make the top four come May, he said: "I have no problem saying that, but we're not thinking that way.
"If you ask me if we are thinking about it realistically and starting to be a little bit big-headed about the Champions League, no, we're not.
"You do not become a big club because you say big things - that won't make you a top-five club. We have to believe in ourselves but we are not believing we can make the Champions League.
"We are believing we can win or draw against Newcastle on Saturday."
