West Ham must use fresh injection of self-belief to finally break free from their London Stadium shackles

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John Dillon21 October 2016

West Ham’s chance to capitalise on the fixture list also starts this week, as they attempt to settle things down at their rebellious and discontented new stadium.

The 1-0 win at Crystal Palace last weekend has delivered a powerful injection of self-belief, according to skipper Mark Noble.

If they beat struggling Sunderland on Saturday and get a result against Chelsea in the first London derby at the new ground in the EFL Cup next Wednesday, the mood among the crowd may lighten up.

True enough, the grievances of the fans about their new home are going to take a long while to resolve – and some may never be because it may never really feel like a football ground.

But, here, at least, over the next week is an opportunity to reduce the pressure and the unsettlement in the stands.

It can happen in the old fashioned way, too. By delivering on the pitch, which the Hammers have failed spectacularly to do so far in their new HQ.

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