Former West Ham United and Manchester City midfielder Steve Lomas says the Hammer’s move to the London Stadium has been ‘tough’, but there are still plenty of positives to take from the switch.
West Ham left the Boleyn Ground after over a century to move to the former Olympic Stadium last summer, but have since struggled to make their new home a fortress.
Lomas – who played nearly 200 games for the club – thinks the move would have been easier if the Hammers form was better last season.
Speaking in an interview with Bwin Sports, he said: “It was always going to be difficult to move from Upton Park, where the club has so much history and were playing well. They had so much tradition with the fans right on top of the players, but I don’t think there would have been as many gripes about the stadium move if West Ham were playing well.
“West Ham just didn’t play well last season – it’s as simple as that. The new players brought in were poor signings and the club suffered from injuries to key players like Carroll and Sakho.”
The Hammers won only seven on their nineteen Premier League fixtures at the London Stadium last season, and although it may have been a tough season for Slaven Bilic’s men form wise, Lomas believes there were still plenty of positives to take from the move.
“I think there have been a lot of positives from the move to the London Stadium. The Tottenham game showed that there can be a great atmosphere and the stadium will do a lot to finance the club, which the fans will benefit from.
“The club has helped their loyal support with cheaper tickets and kids are coming into the ground. Children are the club’s future and to get them tickets for the price they’re paying now is fantastic.”
