Cheikhou Kouyate preferred Upton Park but says West Ham are adjusting to London Stadium

Cheikhou Kouyate admitted he preferred playing at Upton Park but says West Ham are getting used to the London Stadium.

The Hammers moved from Upton Park, their home of 112 years, to the London Stadium last summer and Slaven Bilic's side have struggled to adapt, winning just five of their 14 Premier League matches at the stadium.

There have also been numerous problems off the field since West Ham's move to the former Olympic Stadium with a number of their early matches marred by trouble in the stands.

But despite the early problems on and off the field, Kouyate understands why the move to the 60,000-capacity stadium took place.

"I have to say I did prefer playing at Upton Park with the atmosphere there and we performed much better," Kouyate told Sky Sports News HQ ahead of West Ham's Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday.

"However, this club has a project which involves aiming to become one of the biggest and best clubs in the country and in order to do that we needed to move to a new stadium.

"We are still settling in and adapting in our new ground. It's huge and there's a big gap between the pitch and the fans which makes a big difference, but we are getting used to it."

Kouyate has made 22 appearances for West Ham in the Premier League this season and has been used in a number of different positions by Bilic.

West Ham's injury list has even seen him switched to right-back for the Hammers' last four matches, and while Kouyate does not enjoy playing at full-back he's happy to do it for the team.

The team needs me there at right-back and of course the most important thing in all of this is West Ham, not myself.

"I have huge respect for the coach," the Senegal international said. "He's taught me so much since he's been here and he has real belief in me. I'm just trying to repay him with my performances on the pitch.

"It's true that I've played almost everywhere on the pitch so far this season. The only two positions I haven't played yet are up front and in goal. Playing up front is still a possibility but not in goal as I'm not so good with my hands.

"I'm happy to do it for the team and the coach.

"We've had some injuries to certain players in certain positions and I've been able to fill in. In terms of playing at right-back I can't say I enjoy it as much as playing in midfield. I prefer my box-to-box game and you can't do that playing at right-back."

And while the 27-year-old is happy to play where Bilic needs him for now, he has spoken to the Hammers manager for reassurances about his future in central midfield.

"I've spoken to the boss about it and he understands it's not my long-term position," Kouyate added.

"For the national team I play in midfield as well so he listened to what I had to say and he reassured me that in the future I will be able to go back to my favoured position.

"At the moment I'm happy to do it. I'm not doing it for myself, I'm doing it for the team. The team needs me there at right-back and of course the most important thing in all of this is West Ham, not myself."