One of the main reasons West Ham supporters are frustrated with the club is the ongoing issue with the London Stadium.
Alongside several other problems, such as the current relegation battle, Hammers fans remain upset by the decision to leave Upton Park.
The Boleyn Ground was West Ham’s home from 1904 to 2016, and the majority of the fanbase wish it still was.
Manchester United legend Nicky Butt has now added fuel to the fire with a striking comparison between the two stadiums.
Good idea or is all hope for an atmosphere lost anyway?
A graphic asking West Ham fans if: Will replacing the "wall" between home and away fans with a clear plastic barrier make a difference?
Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC
Nicky Butt makes telling London Stadium vs Upton Park comparison
Butt was actually impressed with the atmosphere at the London Stadium when he attended West Ham’s 1-1 draw against Man Utd.
However, he was later informed that the atmosphere is not usually that loud due to the athletics-determined layout.
“When I was there (London Stadium) with TNT for the Man Utd game, the atmosphere was unbelievably good,” Butt said on his podcast with Paul Scholes.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
“I was talking to people there, ‘What’s all the talk about [there being] no atmosphere here?’ They were saying that sometimes it’s just completely dead. It’s so far away from the pitch.”
Despite his surprising initial praise, Butt then summed up everything that is wrong with the London Stadium.
He recalled struggling at the “horrendous and horrible” Upton Park during his Man Utd and Newcastle career.
Back then, West Ham had a genuine home advantage as opposing teams knew they were in for an uncomfortable experience.
“But compared to the old one (Upton Park), that was right tight in. That was horrendous to play at,” Butt explained.
“I remember going there with Man Utd and Newcastle; you never enjoyed playing at West Ham. Never. You could win games. It was always horrendous and horrible.”
West Ham United v Wolverhampton Wanderers - The Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Photo by Sam Bagnall – AMA/Getty Images
The “beautiful” London Stadium, which is more famous for Usain Bolt and Mo Farah’s gold medals, could not be more different.
Butt recognised that modern Premier League players would enjoy playing at the former Olympic venue rather than dreading it.
He concluded: “Then, you’re going to these new stadiums, like the London Stadium, which are beautiful to go and play at. You’d enjoy going to play there. You’d look forward to playing there.”
Unfortunately, the Hammers are set to stay at the London Stadium for the foreseeable future, and the atmosphere will continue to be an issue.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox