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West Ham vs NK Domzale: Three things we learned as the Hammers' see off minnows in Olympic Stadium debut

West Ham United 3 Domzale 0 (4-2 on aggregate): Slaven Bilic will be enthused by his side's debut showing at their new home, but it'll take time to settle in for supporters and players alike

Samuel Stevens
London Stadium
Thursday 04 August 2016 22:16 BST
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Cheikhou Kouyate is congratulated by his West Ham team-mates
Cheikhou Kouyate is congratulated by his West Ham team-mates

Olympic move isn't enough to break glass ceiling

West Ham hope to hear those famed Champions League strings at the London Stadium the season after next. For now, however, securing the less familiar chords of the Europa League anthem remains top priority and, in truth, Slaven Bilic’s men never appeared likely to come unstuck against a competent but toothless Domzale side in Stratford.

The Hammers proved their European credentials in fleeting bursts rather than prolonged spells last season and with the football establishment flexing their financial muscle this summer, it’s hard to foresee them breaking the glass ceiling any time soon.

Their new home offers them long-term stability and opportunity, 99 years’ worth of it, but it may take longer than one off-season to see them challenge at the top.

It will take time to feel like home in Stratford

West Ham have procured the world’s largest cantilever roof in a bid to appease irked eastenders who worry about the decibel levels in their new surroundings.

It doesn’t detract from the fact, however, that Bilic could quite literally park a London bus in his technical area, such is the void between the stands and the pitch. Nor does it silence those who question having the taxpayer fund the bulk of their move from Green Street. But it does, on this showing, do its job of creating noise at least.

It may not have been a Boleyn-esque cacophony last night but give it time. The pre-match rendition of I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles felt significant as the old Olympic Stadium’s newest residents got comfortable. Even Bilic admitted in mid-week that it doesn’t feel like home yet but memories, not new roofs, are the key to settling in.

Feghouli could be the star attraction this year

After paradoxically getting knocked out of Europe last summer so not to distract them from qualifying the following campaign, West Ham are taking things more seriously this term.

The acquisition of Sofiane Feghouli from Valencia on a free transfer last month may have gone under the radar for some. Nevertheless, Feghouli proved to be a thorn in Domzale’s side all evening and deserved his tie-sealing goal in the latter stages.

West Ham fans will hope he can unite with Dimitri Payet in a similar fashion to how he compliments Riyad Mahrez in the Alergia national side.

He may be some way off emulating his more illustrious international team-mate, but on this evidence he has the potential to get close.

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