West Ham’s move into the London Stadium is not going well.
There was always likely to be some teething problems after leaving their traditional Upton Park home for a shiny new stadium that has been billed as the starting point of a grand new era.
Hammers fans could be forgiven for not buying into such talk just now after watching their team slump to a 3-0 defeat against Southampton – their fourth on the spin in the Premier League.
The stadium emptied long before the end and, while Hammers supporters might have walked away wistfully remembering life back at the Boleyn Ground, even that is soon to be taken from them with the demolition crews due to move in this week.
Just turned on the West Ham game, Olympic stadium looks like it did in Rio, loads of empty seatsð±
— Bryn (@BrynLaw) September 25, 2016
London Stadium emptied after third goal went in #WHUSOU pic.twitter.com/mq2NG9Yxpv
— Andy Sims (@AndyCSims) September 25, 2016
Not happening at the new stadium so far for West Ham. From the Boleyn ground to the bogey ground.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 25, 2016
Olympic Stadium: the site of unparalleled sporting excellence & success to make a nation proud.
Then West Ham moved in.— Mike White (@mikewhitesport) September 25, 2016
Just seen the west ham result. Nice to see they are adjusting to their new stadium ðð
— terry gorringe (@thegorrinator) September 25, 2016
West Ham are being punished for abandoning their wonderful home for an awful soulless stadium. They don't belong there. #WHUFC
— Michael Yokhin (@Yokhin) September 25, 2016
The day we lost Upton Park is the day we lost West Ham …. no one can deny it! This stadium is not and never will be home!
— á¦KαÑıεᦠ(@Katiie90_x) September 25, 2016
Blaming the ground move for the team’s lack of form was not washing with some fans, however, as some of the pressure has started to fall on boss Slaven Bilic.
The Croatian enjoyed a stellar first season in charge last term, guiding the team to Europe – but after Sunday’s defeat his odds of being sacked were slashed by bookmakers.
Has the bubble burst for Slaven Bilic? #WHUFC pic.twitter.com/yLyE3z6e76
— Football Feast (@FootieFeasts) September 25, 2016
No good blaming the players; if it was big Sam he would be crucified but it's solely down to Bilic
— Ross (@_Rossdawson) September 25, 2016
Seems like Slaven Bilic has lost the dressing room since the players approached him about Antonio at right-back.
— Uber West Ham (@UberWestHam) September 25, 2016
Something deeply wrong with West Ham. Nobody in the side stood up to be counted today. Bilic has huge job on his hands now.
— Dan Silver (@dansilver_) September 25, 2016
Hammer skipper Mark Noble was predictably forthright with his opinions after the match, telling Sky Sports that things “could not get any worse”.
Mark Noble: "Weâve got to stick together and not blame each other. We have to do this as a team, because itâs not good enough." #WHUSOU pic.twitter.com/K35qjdP38J
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 25, 2016
West Ham are at home again next weekend when they host newly-promoted Middlesbrough before the international break.
