West Ham: Hammers internal chaos reflects on the pitch
It’s a drastic change of scenario. The Boleyn Ground was more compact, the pitch was closer to the stands and the biggest factor of all: It was their home for too long.
Of course, adapting to the London Stadium would take time, but it wasn’t supposed to be so bad. Creating an atmosphere in a stadium where the pitch is so far away from the stands is not easy. The impact that fans have on the game is not the same too.
The biggest reason the London Stadium is the target of so much criticism is because it doesn’t have a soul. When I remember the Boleyn Ground, I always remember a traditional stadium that was always rocking, a difficult place to be in for the opposition. It had an identity and it was the biggest quality of the ground.
Collins: “I’ve got sympathy with the supporters. I’m a West Ham fan myself, I’m just as unhappy as the fans are myself, it’s not been anywhere near good enough...we were probably a bit scared playing, a bit nervous if you like.” pic.twitter.com/aXAlNTPbsi
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) March 12, 2018
At the London Stadium the case is the complete opposite. We’ve seen so many times how the away team gets comfortable while playing there. Most of the times it doesn’t look or sound hostile, something that was completely different at the Boleyn Ground. Giving an identity to a new stadium takes time but it can cost a lot to the club.