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Is Håvard Nordtveit Really That Bad?

nevillenixon's picture
Submitted by nevillenixon on Thu, 15/12/2016 - 11:43

When West Ham United signed the Norwegian International former Arsenal youth player Håvard Nordtveit from Borussia Mönchengladbach it was seen as a bit of a coup, so why has this player been vilified to the extent of being booed as he came on as a substitute against Burnley at Hammer's London Stadium on Wednesday night? Nordtveit has become the target of angry fans much like Jonathan Spector and Christain Dailly were in the past, what are the similarities between this set of players? Essentially each one played in a variety of positions, rarely actually playing in a position where they were best suited, therefore they became 'filler men!'Utility players that do a job when asked of them without moaning and groaning, they just get on with it despite knowing how their performances are viewed and perceived by the masses. Glamorous not, relatively well paid yes, but what is the point of fans booing their own player BEFORE he even kicks a ball? Those who booed Håvard have short memories, didn't he put a shift in as one of a back three/four against Liverpool at Anfield yet again playing in an unfamiliar position? In fact those fans might ask them selves when has Nordtveit ever actually started a Barclays Premier League match, or even come on as a substitute in his favoured midfield position?
We would suggest that although Nordtveit hasn't exactly set the world on fire with his performances, the reason for all the negativity being hurled in his direction is because fans are angry with their team's performances and Nordtveit is an easy target.
But come on, West Ham fans are bigger and better than this, save the boos for the refs who don't give decisions or for the away support, but not one of your own! - Ed

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Here, here ed, not saying he is anything to get excited with but to often fans make an opinion on a player and his worth in far to fewer games. He shouldn't have been booed as its counter productive. I'd be first to admit he hasn't set the world alight but he should be given time o settle and try and prove himself. I'm seeing ayew is getting critiscised for being a waste of time and money too! Ffs give the players some time and continuity. I can understand why people don't want zaza for no other reason than he doesn't play the way we would want our strikers to play. Ok not his fault but a decent reason to get rid in January.

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168 users have voted.
andycarrollstyle's picture

If you pay £25 million for a player (Ayew) you do expect him to hit the ground running when he enters the team - yes he has been unlucky with his initial injury, but these are players we are spending big money (for us anyway) on to instantly improve our squad... I think the price we paid for him entitles us to be critical of his performance - not to the point of booing as I agree that is counter productive but in my opinion, we have overpaid drastically to attain his services - lets not forget he joined Swansea on a free! £15 million tops we should have paid and then let him prove himself. We paid less than this to get Payet!

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174 users have voted.

Yes we over paid by about 5 million for him but how can you expect a player to hit the ground running after being out for 3 months after ur first 20 mins on ur debut

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169 users have voted.

We're talking about a player who was considered better than Payet up until last season. Ayew has shown some nice touches and flashes of quality there. If he had scored that goal from his nice piece of skill yesterday you wouldve been saying what a difference he made.

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157 users have voted.

Exactly Fred. The guy has had a long term injury and been given a bit here and there since he came back. I see signs he will be the real deal if played in the right position. Thought he would get a run up top when we struggled. He is more mobile than Andy and last season Carroll was far worse than ayew for the first 6 games after his injury.

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181 users have voted.

Bit of no-no in my book,but i do agree nordtveit is not good enough...as for ayew,i thought he played pretty well when he came on & he had a good chance at the end of the game...we all know that the price was inflated for ayew but it was a bit of a desperate buy imo...

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171 users have voted.
Jenningsthehero's picture

Found it such a shame we booed one of our players, even if you think he is u/s, what must be going through the blokes head when he heard that, come on lads give the bloke a break,

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169 users have voted.

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