THE LOWDOWN

MANUEL PELLEGRINI says West Ham were too big for the Boleyn Ground – and their fans are starting to realise it.

The Hammers manager believes his side are finally starting to make the London Stadium feel like capacity a fortress since increased to 60,000.

And he praised West Ham fans who were at war over the venue last season for putting their differences aside and backing the team’s rise up the Premier League table.

The east Londoners have won three in a row at their new home, ahead of today’s visit of Everton, and beaten Arsenal Manchester United stadium this season.

Former Manchester City and Real Madrid boss Pellegrini (left) said: “Maybe they all realise this team needs a big stadium.

“The old stadium I know was a beautiful stadium, but it was too small for this team.

“Just 32,000 people is not enough for West Ham – now we have 60,000 people at every game we play.

“Maybe they understand, also they are creating the atmosphere we see in every game.

“Most of those games we won at home the atmosphere was very good.

“Fans were enjoying the game, they were all involved, supporting the team.

“They were not also and at the thinking or talking or acting like what happened last season. That depends on the performance of the team.

“That’s why it was so important to win those three games in a row, and now it’s more important to win the fourth game.”

Pellegrini must decide whether to stick with Marko Arnautovic up front against Everton after hauling him off against Huddersfield.

The Hammers came from behind to win that game 4-3 with 29-year-old Arnautovic (below) on the bench and substitute Javier Hernandez scoring twice.

Arnautovic hasn’t scored a league goal for the club