Middlesbrough midfielder Stewart Downing returned to East London to face his old club West Ham United in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
A terrible start to the season, infighting amongst fans, resentment towards owners and concerns over safety at the club’s new 60,000 seater Olympic Stadium home have soured the Hammers’ campaign so far.
Slaven Bilic‘s side have lost five of their opening seven Premier League matches – picking up just four points from a possible 21 to find themselves in the bottom three.
The Hammers were also embarrassingly dumped out of the Europa League by Romanian minnows Astra Giurgiu for the second season running.
Upton Park: Gone but never forgotten
It is a far cry from last season when West Ham enjoyed their best ever points total of the Premier League era, recorded a first positive goal difference since 1986 and finished just four points off the Champions League places in their emotional farewell campaign at Upton Park.
Many fans and pundits have been quick to blame the move to Stratford for such a contrast in results and performances while others feel it is too easy an excuse.
West Ham’s Stewart Downing celebrates at Upton Park
Now former Hammer Downing has delivered his verdict on the move in an interview with the Guardian after playing there for the first time.
“Don’t get me wrong, it is a lovely stadium and a great set-up but I prefer the old ground,” Downing told the Guardian.
“At Upton Park it’s on top of you, the atmosphere.
“It is a little bit different and I did find it a bit strange but the players are going to have to get used to that.”
West Ham’s Olympic Stadium
What is certainly hasn’t been is the “most successful stadium migration in football history” as was ridiculously boasted by West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady back in July.
While the jury is still out on the move, games against proper rivals such as Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur will give a true indication of whether West Ham can make a success of the switch.
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