Anyone got any opinions on why he always seems to start the season so slowly? He hasn't looked himself in our 2 games so far and it was the same last year in the champ. I think he was also a little slow off the mark at the start of the L1 campaign although us being total ****e overshadowed this somewhat. I had put the previous seasons down to (L1) a new club and not the best pre season prep from Mr Gunn and then (Champ) Pre season missed due to injury. So how come it is happening again this year? I know each of the three seasons has been stepping up a league for him so maybe he takes a few games to get his bearings in each new league. I just hope for our sake he does this quickly this season
my opinion is that he is getting used to the step up in quality and speed of the defenders, he is still causing a nuisance for himself mind. Let's hope he comes good soon
He went from lg 2 to lg1 to champs now prem in 4 years........ If we get 10 goals out of him all season i will be ecstatic Kenny
Me too, but there is far more to his game than scoring goals and that is what has been missing or there to a lesser extent in the opening exchanges each season. I wonder whether each time he has stepped up a little it has taken him a while to figure out how to play his game. I have no doubt he will find a way to be successful this season. I just hope it is soon.
Which is all well and good, but he needs to get into the box. He's working a bit too hard imo, he needs to relax and enjoy himself but if he doesn't get into the area he isn't going to score. He's spending too much time running the channels, Morison will do that. Bennett and Pilkington offer us alot in terms of crosses and that will suit Holty imo.
If you watch him properly, Holty is never, ever stationary, he's running off the ball, dragging defenders out of position, barking instruction and encouragement to all team members, the man is priceless, with him, any goals that he scores are an added bonus!
It's ironic that Morison - whose career path is very similar to Holt, lit up the first match against Wigan with some excellent all round play, before having to go off with a tennis ball sized lump under one eye. If he can make the step up so smoothly, why can't Holty? Don't get me wrong, it's not a pop at our talisman, just an open question
Undisputed - but for a striker he needs to get into the box - I haven't seen him do that much this season. Headers inside the area should be his bread and butter.
I fear that he lacks the necessary speed at this level in multiple ways. He is not going to beat defenders for speed, either coming to meet the ball or in a chase to the goal. The coming to the ball is a major problem, at the moment he is static and has managed to hold some average defenders at bay, I worry that defenders will begin to step in front of him and negate the benefits he brings. I really hope that his taqctical abilities allow him to make the step up, but I'm really not very confident. But fascinated to see him against Chelsea today and will cheer everything he does during the game.
according to this analysis, Holt is the most fouled player in the league: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/26/squad-sheets-cheslea-norwich-city But has also committed the most without going unpunished. That to me says that 1: defenders find him a handful and that 2: He is a handful. I think we need to give the man respect for what he does best: Muscling his way through games without the necessary "aplomb" that many centre forwards have, but with the desire to get in the mix, have a go and do his best. That's what I love about the man. OTBC
Again I agree, the qualities he brings to the team shouldn't come into question. I personally don't think he's back to full fitness; the last two seasons he tended to take 7/8 games before we saw him at his best. However, he scored goals for us by getting into the box, that's where his strength and presence are most valuable to us - and his speed doesn't really matter in those positions. We need him to start playing to these strengths and equally, we need to play to them. Holt gets into the box, Bennett and Pilks whip in the crosses. To me, it seems as though the ball is going up to Holt, he lays it off and then fails to make the run into the box. I love the guy (check out my profile pic!)...I'm simply saying that he's gotta be in it to win it and I personally feel that's why chances are scarce for him. The one real run he made into the box against Stoke he was inches away from converting - more of those please.
mostly agree, but pace over 6 yards is ansolutely critical. most importanly, if he is not fit, then why the hell not? I think he's fit, just not adjusted to pace of PL.
Slightly off-topic, but, in case no-one's noticed, Grant Holt, Simeon Jackson and Chris Martin have all now played in L2, L1, the Championship and now the PL in consecutive seasons. Could we be the first team in Prem history to have 3 such players? As for Holt, I thought he played well against Stoke - he made a real nuisance of himself, and gave Shawcross some real problems at the back. I think he may have been a bit tired by the end, but with Morison up alongside him to share some of the physicality involved with playing a side such as Stoke, I think he may have made more of an impact.
I have no idea, just simply saying over the past two seasons it has taken him some time to really get going.
I thought Holt showed what he is made of today gave Terry the run around all afternoon (or morning here!!!) and scored as well. The whole squad need a little time to bed in but I think we are doing well, the scoreline flattered Chelsea. We matched them and bettered them at times today. The reason most pundits won't say so is because they don't want to show their assessment of Norwich is completely wrong, we are a good PL side. On the perfomances so far, we should all be very pleased. I know it is never good to lose but even with 10 men we still did'nt give up. OBTC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
