Carlton Cole hits back at ‘bang out order’ West Ham United claim live on air
Carlton Cole has hit back at a “bang out of order” claim that West Ham United have the worst stadium in the Premier League.
Adrian Durham compiled a list ranking the top-flight venues and placed the London Stadium at the bottom of the pecking order, affirming “it’s not a football ground, is it?” [talkSPORT, 18 October].
Former Hammers striker Cole was furious with the list and berated Durham live on talkSPORT [19 October, 10:14am], with the three newly-promoted sides all ranking higher.
“What? West Ham are right at the bottom? He just doesn’t like West Ham,” Cole said. “He’s obviously not been given the full London Stadium experience.”
Cole added: “That’s bang out of order. Why are we even taking this serious?”
West Ham United have been poor at London Stadium this season
Upton Park will hold a dear place in the hearts of all Irons supporters – indeed, even neutrals can appreciate how magnificent the former venue was in its heyday.
However, as always with football, times change, and when the Hammers were offered the opportunity to relocate to the modern London Stadium, a host venue for the 2012 Olympic Games, the club’s decision was understandable.
Julen Lopetegui has thus far failed to harness the energy of his new-found home at the start of his tenure – the 4-1 win against Ipswich Town ended a three-match consecutive losing streak at home.
The Hammers will feel further begrudged upon learning London rivals Tottenham are ranked sixth on the list, with Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium one behind in seventh and Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge trailing in 14th place.
West Ham can turn the London Stadium into a fortress. The home was pivotal throughout the 2023 Europa Conference League winning campaign and could be revitalised to help the side through what has been a mixed start to the campaign.
Regardless of the public perception, the Hammers are more than happy with the London Stadium, but Lopetegui needs to start getting results at home before the Olympic arena turns volatile.
In other West Ham news, Tony Cascarino was baffled by the Irons news he heard ahead of the Tottenham clash.
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