There is a thread on here about Darren Huckerby and I agree about his inclusion in a City all time top five legends, quite possibly in number one spot. However you decide the rankings, and I certainly agree regarding Keelan, Gunn, Forbes etc, after yesterday's match at Liverpool I would certainly argue for Holt to be in there. It isn't just about the goal, although that in itself would be sufficient to merit his consideration. As Hansen observed as you watched that Pilkington cross coming in with Holt sandwiched between two defenders and one of the best goalies in the world to beat your money was on him to score. The power and direction of the header would have given no chance to any keeper on earth. But my point isn't just about the goal, it's about the man. Like Huckerby he was sidelined, although for different reasons. I must admit I could see the point of those who argued against his inclusion from the starting eleven. He doesn't look quick against Premiership defences and arguably carries the result of a few too many pies and pints. But the belly cannot hide the heart of the man. After being dropped we didn't see petulance we saw guts of a different kind. Not for Holt the Prima Donna posturing of overpaid fair weather "stars". He just got on with the job of getting his place back. Put him in sepia and Grant Holt would fit in perfectly with those heroes of English history, Scott of the Antarctic, The Somme, The conquest of Everest. And can't you just see him as centre forward in one of those teams of our grandparents or great grandparent’s youth with his shorts down beneath his knees? With regards to yesterday's match, to paraphrase."If The Premiership should last a hundred years, Canaries will still say, this was their finest hour" P.S. Thanks to The Scousers for their typically generous reaction.
Excellent post, CT, Holty is without doubt destined for the NCFC hall of fame! I respect PL's team selections and agree with him, but I'm ALWAYS disappointed when Holty doesn't start! WFLGH
Would echo that except I am not disappointed to see him not start these days. He did prove yesterday he has a part to play and perhaps an impact substitute role would be ideal for him this season. An ideal player to bring on and change the complexion of a game or give opposing defenders a new challenge to think about. Yesterday's substitution was inspired. They said on the commentary they felt PL saw the possibility of nicking a goal as Holt was just about to come on the pitch. 3 minutes later - Bang!
Thanks for your comments re my post,I did wonder if it might be a touch Shakespearian/Chuchillian for a Sunday morning.Within the post really the subtext was that he justifies his inclusion in any starting eleven now.Of course I wouldn't disagree with PL's selection choices after tweleve points from nine games that include United,Liverpool and Chelsea away.Not many teams will get more than one point from those three fixtures.
It's great that we now have Morison and Holt who both look like they can do damage in the premier league. Vaughan and Jackson will have their time too. ILWT
Brilliant post, agree with every word. Dave/Thai - Can this be turned into an article? Seems like a shame to keep such a great thread all to ourselves.
Don't see how we can discuss Holt as a legend of the current day when Adam Drury is still on our books!
I think there is a deffierence between being a great servant and being a legend. Ian Culverhouse was a superb servant to the club and one of my favourite ever players. He never stood out enough to be called a Legend though. Drury is similar. A very good solid player who puts in a high standard of performance everytime he takes to the pitch and loyal to the club for most of his career. Still though, he has never stood out. He has always just quietly got on with it. Maybe it is just the position, full-back?
Drury has been good over the years but, the triple relegation team that he played in would cloud my judgement as Legend status..... The impact Holt made as our captain and leading scorer since Lg1 is truly the stuff of legends.........IMO
It seems to be a lot easier for a striker to acquire legendary status than a defender that's for sure if Holt has been here about 2 years and is already a legend.
Was it me or did Holty look a lot trimmer yesterday. Just like last couple of seasons perhaps he is now getting fitter again and even more deadly a few matches in.
What a fantastic headache for Lambo to have when he picks the teamsheet for Blackburn. Despite not banging them in Morison has looked brilliant and has definitely done enough lately to have cemented a place in the first XI, but I wonder if there is a temptation for PL to start with both of them up front on Saturday. The only problem would accomodating them as you'd want both Elliiott and Pilks banging in crosses so the only way I could see it happening would be perhaps at the expense of Wes - and I can't see that happening with the form he's in right now. Hmmmmm, decisions, decisions... Whatever happens it was absolutely amazing for the big fella to grab the headlines again yesterday, I was surprised/disappointed for him that he didn't get any minutes at Old Trafford so if anyone deserved that yesterday it was the Legend that is Grant Holt. Love the bloke, absolutely love the bloke and he looks set to emulate even Hucks in the all-time legend status if he carries on the way he has done - the impact he has had has just been nothing short of phenomenal in every way.
russell martin shines at full back, or centre back...hell, stick the boy up front and he'd do a job...
I thought that too! Looks like he has been training hard and shedding the excess pounds in the last month or so. He looks more streamlined than last season even. Perhaps he has realised what he needs to do to compete for a starting place but alas he will not have the same pace as the others.
You never know. Chris Sutton started life at Carrow Road as a center back and for 1 league cup game against Carlisle he was pushed up front. He scored 2 goals and the rest is history
I like my centre forwards with a bit of meat on them, the way Holt went in for that power header must have scared the hell out of the Keeper?.... 16 stone of pies and ale hurtling at him
(Yes Keelan btw,advancing dotage) I wasn't in any way critical of Holt's physique,he's the same shape I was at his age,only that the extra poundage might have hindered his mobility. And that really was the point he IS an old fashioned English centre forward in the style of those who used to put the goalie in the net with the ball,they're great to watch.
Holt is a legend, not least for his most recent quote: "Unfortunately for me the lads have been working absolutely fantastic the last few weeks and Stevie has done an unbelievable job… When someone’s keeping you out of the team like that and performing in that way and the team’s winning, that’s fantastic for us" That to me is up there with the best team based quotes for ages. I thought he split the onion bag yesterday which exemplified his desire to underline his desire to be back. The post above about PLs headache against Blackburn is a beauty. We'll see what happens again a week from now and eff me am I looking forward to it. I thought we'd be turned over yesterday after the first 10 minutes not far off that amount. However, the team was brilliant and if the team is anything close to Mr Holt's take on us then I am impressed. Nice one. OTBC & ILWT & GHNCFCL
