Harry Redknapp performs double U-turn over West Ham’s Olympic Stadium move

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Former West Ham United boss Harry Redknapp performed a double U-turn in the space of an hour when talking about his old club’s Olympic Stadium move.

West Ham United’s Adrian, Dimitri Payet and team mates look dejected

A woeful start to the season and life at their new 60,000 Olympic Stadium home has left morale on the pitch and in the stands at a new low.

Fighting amongst fans and safety fears at the ground as well as a perceived lack of the famous intimidating Hammers atmosphere from Upton Park has seen the stadium switch cited by many as a reason for the club’s contrast in fortunes compared to their fantastic campaign last term.

Five defeats from the first seven Premier League games is the club’s worst ever start to a season and Bilic’s side were also unceremoniously dumped out of Europe in qualifying too.

Missed? Upton Park

Jamie Carragher recently said the club was facing 38 away games this season while his former Liverpool teammate Robbie Fowler says the Olympic Stadium is not a football arena and that the Hammers miss Upton Park.

Redknapp, who spent 18 years with the Hammers as a player, assistant manager and manager, said back in August that the move “Will make West Ham one of the big clubs.”

He also said his old friend and West Ham legend Bobby Moore would have fully supported the move.

Harry Redknapp

But appearing as a guest on talkSPORT Redknapp performed a double U-turn, first suggesting the stadium was affecting results before later changing his tone.

“Listen I’m not blaming all West Ham’s poor form on the stadium, I mean they’ve gone to West Brom and got bear four (4-2), I mean they don’t look anything near what they were last year at the moment, I’m sure they will come round, but at the moment they don’t,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT.

“Certainly stadiums and fans play such a big part, when the fans are there and it’s a great atmosphere and the place is buzzing, they’re on top of you it’s a big difference to a team.

West Ham’s Olympic Stadium

But an hour later Redknapp changed his tone offering a more positive outlook on the East London club’s new home and West Ham’s future there.

“West Ham’s in great shape really apart from the results at the moment and I think the stadium is going to be excellent in the long term and I think it was a great move, they had to move eventually,” Redknapp added.