West Ham face an Olympic task to keep home fires burning after stadium move

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James Olley2 March 2016

There is a latent sadness tinged to each pilgrimage West Ham supporters make to Upton Park these days. Seven more times. That is the maximum number of home games the Hammers will stage at the famous Boleyn Ground and even that figure is only bolstered by the possibility of an FA Cup quarter-final replay against Manchester United.

Tottenham fans won’t display any sympathy as they embark upon the same trip this evening. They will be glad to see the back of the place, not just because of the clubs’ fierce rivalry. They know just how difficult it is to beat West Ham in this grand, old arena.

The Hammers have lost just twice there all season. Only five Premier League teams have taken more points at home and three of those have played a game more. Such has been the remarkable impact Slaven Bilic has had this season, West Ham’s away form has provided the better individual highlights but there is little doubt West Ham are relinquishing something more than an ethereal advantage when they move to the Olympic Stadium this summer.

A clock on the club’s website counts down to the move claiming ‘History begins in…” but history dictates that there could be a tangible influence on the side’s fortunes.

Seven current top-flight clubs have moved in the Premier League era. Five of them - Arsenal, Leicester, Manchester City, Southampton and Stoke - suffered notable downturns in their home form in the season after they moved.

Of the other two, Leicester left Filbert Street for what was then called the Walkers Stadium in 2002 but that coincided with relegation to the old Division One, which had a significant effect on their next home campaign. Sunderland enjoyed a significant improvement without the benefit of dropping down a division in 1997-98 but while there are always a plethora of factors to consider, the raw data suggests West Ham will have a challenge to overcome.

The club are working hard to make the transition as smooth as possible. Champions Place at Olympic Park is a landmark recognising the Hammers’ history, comprising commemorative bricks with messages — on display at the Boleyn Ground — and stones boasting the names of club legends.

Last week saw the first claret and blue seats installed in the new stadium and there is a genuine momentum gathering pace as the switch draws ever nearer. It will help the club expand to the next level. But no amount of preparation can replicate the sense of belonging created by 112 years of history.

February’s dramatic extra-time FA Cup win over Liverpool may not rank particularly high among the all-time great matches but the enthralling sense of occasion combined with the knowledge there would not be too many more nights like it prompted a sepia-toned view of the action for so many in attendance.

Tonight marks another chance to embrace it. Bilic is within four points of equalling the total accrued by Sam Allardyce last season, all while achieving a radical overhaul of the playing staff — of the 18-man matchday squad for last weekend’s win over Sunderland, just six were brought in by Allardyce.

West Ham entertain Spurs looking up at the top four with a mixture of optimism and uncertainty. They will glance over at Olympic Park with precisely the same emotions.

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