- Havard Nordtveit determined to show his best form for West Ham United
- Norway captain has started nine games for the Club since arriving in July
- Versatile player says Hammers have the quality to climb the table over Christmas
Havard Nordtveit admits he has yet to show his best form in a West Ham United shirt, but is convinced he will yet prove his value to the Hammers.
The likeable Norwegian has started just nine times since his summer move from German Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach, who he helped qualify for the UEFA Champions League last season.
Nordtveit’s versatility has seen him appear at right-back, centre-back and in his favoured deep-lying midfield position, with arguably his best performance coming as a full-back in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool.
The Norway captain has since appeared as a late substitute against Burnley and Hull City, helping see his side to two 1-0 home victories, and he is hoping to be given further chances over the busy festive period.
“I’m always positive,” he said. “I was born positive, so I’m working hard every day. The games I’ve played, I know I can play much better, so I’ll take it game-by-game and day-by-day and hopefully I can be a good player for this Club.”
West Ham travel to Swansea City on Boxing Day – Nordtveit’s first taste of Christmas football since he was a teenager with Arsenal – before making the shorter trip to Leicester City on New Year’s Eve.
I know I can play much better, so I’ll take it game-by-game and day-by-day and hopefully I can be a good player for this Club
Havard Nordtveit
The Hammers will hope to close out the opening half of the Premier League season by extending their recent unbeaten run. Should they do so, Nordtveit and company could climb into the top half of the table by the time 2017 dawns.
A player used to battling for European qualification rather than against relegation in recent seasons, the 26-year-old has faith that his new Club will do just that.
“Hopefully with the Christmas time coming and so many games, we can take as many points as possible and get out of the lower part of the table, because the quality in this team is much better than that it says in the table,” he confirmed.