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Rejuvenated West Ham outcast Havard Nordtveit has blueprint to make Olympic Stadium a success

General view outside the stadium before the match hammersos (Reuters)
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Fresh from his best performance in a West Ham United shirt, Havard Nordtveit has proved he isn’t just thinking about himself.

West Ham United's Havard Nordtveit in action with Everton's Mason HolgateWest Ham United’s Havard Nordtveit put in a man of the match display against Everton

The Norwegian has struggled since joining the Hammers from Borussia Monchengladbach on a free transfer in the summer and has played just 14 league games.

He hit a real low when, with West Ham leading 2-1 against Tottenham at White Hart Lane earlier in the season, his late substitute appearance saw Spurs triumph 3-2 with Nordtveit at fault for both goals including giving away the winning penalty.

West Ham United's Havard NordtveitNordtveit has struggled for game time and form at West Ham

The midfielder had been regularly played out of position and was widely tipped to leave this summer having been savaged by supporters and pundits alike.

But his first 90 minutes since January – and playing in his proper central midfield holding role – helped Slaven Bilic’s side draw 0-0 with Everton last time out.

His man of the match display has made many supporters question whether they judged Nordtveit too quickly.

West Ham's Olympic Stadium v DomizaleNordtveit knows what it will take to make the Olympic Stadium feel like home

But rather than dwell on the past, all Nordtveit is concerned about is his blueprint for making the club’s move to the Olympic Stadium a success after just six wins from 17 at the controversial new ground this season.

“We need to stick together as a team, we had a great atmosphere here and I feel we are just (starting) to grow into this stadium as our home now,” Nordtveit told the club’s official website.

“(The crowd) were fantastic.

“When we perform good, then they perform good and that’s just what we are going to need to continue to do (to make the stadium feel like home).”