Scotland manager Gordon Strachan has never been one for mincing his words as West Ham United fans have just found out.
The former Southampton and Celtic manager is now in charge of the Scottish national team and as a result travels around keeping an eye on how his players are performing for their clubs.
And that brought him to West Ham’s new London Stadium home last weekend when Slaven Bilic’s side took on a Hull City team boasting a number of Scotland internationals.
It was a game the Hammers edged 1-0 but only thanks to the intervention of the inside of the post on no less than three separate occasions in what supporters labelled one of their worst performances of a miserable season.
Scotland manager Gordon Strachan
While he was there Strachan was full of praise for the controversial stadium, which many have blamed for West Ham’s torrid second season under Bilic.
Some supporters believe blaming the stadium move is too easy an excuse, citing that other teams are having no trouble performing there.
Speaking from experience, the former Leeds United and Manchester United star explained on the club’s official website why disgruntled supporters will not understand the difficulties their players face.
West Ham’s Olympic Stadium
“I took over at Southampton in their first season at St Mary’s and they hadn’t won a game there until October,” he told whufc.com.
“It takes time to fully feel like home for everyone and I can see that is the case here.
“Players can find it difficult and have to get used to the little things that you only notice if you’ve played the game. Even things like a different type of grass on the pitch.”
Strachan’s comments echo those made by Bilic himself in a recent interview with BBC Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker in which he said a dramatic change in sight lines and perspectives from pitch level have affected his players.
That still doesn’t wash with many fans, though, who highlight that their players still play and train on the pitch a lot more than opposition teams which should counteract any adverse impact.
Back-to-back wins have certainly helped the mood at the London Stadium with Manchester the next to visit on January 2nd.
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