‘Beautiful’ home gives Pellegrini

MANUEL PELLEGRINI says the London Stadium is “not an excuse” for failure before his first home match as the West Ham manager.

And the former Real Madrid and Manchester City boss said the “beautiful stadium” is fit for a “big team” like the Hammers.

West Ham’s move to the former Olympic arena has been dogged with difficulties and crowd disturbances over the past two seasons.

Former manager Slaven Bilic said it “isn’t a football stadium” earlier this year and players admitted they have struggled to adapt to the 57,000-seat stadium after the more intimate Upton Park.

But after a summer of heavy spending, the Hammers are now seeking a new era with Pellegrini’s positive brand of football. They host Bournemouth today and the Chilean started by dismissing any negativity around their home ground.

“I don’t know why that stadium has to be difficult,” said Pellegrini.

“The pitch has the same measurements. The grass is in very good shape.

“The atmosphere with 55,000 people is great. The stadium is not an excuse. We want to make the stadium a positive.

“It is a stadium for a big team. West Ham are a big team. The Boleyn Ground was a great stadium with a lot of atmosphere. But it was for 30,000 people. The London Stadium is for 55,000, so 25,000 more fans are allowed to see the game.

“It is our home stadium because it is what this club need and deserve. The players have complained about nothing.”

But Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels is on a mission to wreck pal Jack Wilshere’s home West Ham debut. Daniels and Wilshere were big