Former Stoke City star Lou Macari is fearing that the West Ham United fans will not be able to generate the Upton Park atmosphere at the Olympic Stadium.

West Ham United will be moving to the Olympic Stadium at the start of the 2016/17 campaign and while many associated with the Hammers are very excited about the prospective move, former manager Macari has expressed his reservations.

Macari stated that despite moving to a bigger stadium, the Hammers faithful might struggle to re-create the same atmosphere as they currently do at Upton Park and added that visiting teams will not be intimidated at facing the east Londoners in the future. In his column for the Stoke Sentinel, Macari wrote: "It will be Stoke's last but one visit to Upton Park because West Ham move down the road to the Olympic Stadium the season after next. That's going to be a big loss to them because having played and managed at Upton Park, I'd say it's worth 12 points every season to West Ham.

"I remember the stand opposite the dugouts was known as the Chicken Run and was popular with players and fans alike.

"The stands at Upton Park have moved back from the pitch with re-development, but it still retained the atmosphere and however good or bad West Ham were doing, that was always a hard three points to gain in that part of London.

"Their new stadium may be bigger and plusher, but I don't see it generating anything like the same intimidating atmosphere that Upton Park can for visiting teams. West Ham would certainly be worried if they looked back on Stoke's experience."