...and out of those mentioned only rooney has been able to score regularly! i wonder if holt played for a london club whether we'd be having the same debate...
He's scored past defences that have included Terry, Ferdinand, A Cole, Jones, Ivanovic, Evra, Samba and others. As well as 'keepers such as Howard, De Gea, Reina, Krul and Vorm. These players are 'world class' so they're no different to when they play at international level. If he can beat these players he can beat the likes of Puyol, Carvalho and others.
My only questionmark is not really about his ability to play at that level or compete against international players, because as has been pointed out, he's been doing it all season. The bigger question is to what extent would he fit in with the style of play. His performances (IMO) have been hugely influenced by the team selection and the role he is asked to play, as is the case with all players. He should have been given a couple of friendly's to work this out. Regardless of that, I think he could certainly come on for the last 20 minutes of a match and make a difference.
But the refs are different, the first sign of contact they blow up and if you take that out of holts game it would be a massive handicap to him, because he wouldn't be able to find that extra yard of space. Don't get me wrong i think its awful that the art of using your bulk to your advantage in football has been removed, but however much we moan that is part of the game now. (thank you very much Blatter and Platini, ****ers). Take Crouch as a perfect example, he is hardly a dirty player but the amount of times he gets pulled up in internationals for jumping with his elbows raised is crazy, but that is international refs for you. A quick question, how would you guys feel if he was selected and got seriously injured like dean ashton. don't you think perhaps its best that he wasn't selected?
he doesn't have much competition (bar rooney) in the scoring charts does he? Crouch has scored a few recently, but Welbeck, Sturridge, Campbell??!? i can't remember the last time ANY of them scored. i still can't see this happening because (a) we are unfashionable squad and (b) it's Holt's first season in the PL. Prove me wrong Pearce
I can understand the reluctance to pick him before christmas, as he was unproven and probably carried the wrong "tag" . But he has continued to improve, and I can't see any reason why he shouldn't be in the squad. Rightly or wrongly, it would be touted as a "brave selection" which in itself may mean he'll miss out. Would be great for him, but more importantly good for NCFC for Holt to play/train with international players and bring that experience back to carrow road. (although mixing with that bunch of tossers may **** him up forever, on second thoughts don't pick him)
i'll repeat what i said earlier guru. i agree about the officials but crouch scored 20+ goals for england despite being pulled up for fouls every time the ball went near him. holt is not the dirty thug you seem to think he is. he gives away fouls but he gains just as many if not more. to choose not to take a player because he MIGHT give away the odd foul is bonkers. if he did get injured then thats life - norwich fans want holt called up for the man himself - we aren't thinking about our club when we suggest it. it would be a triumph for all lower league players who think they've missed their chance to shine. there are many, many good players who don't feature on the radar of the media who could all contribute in the future. holt could give them the impetus to achieve whatever they want. it would also dismiss the quite clear calls that there is huge bias towards certain teams and players if a norwich centre forward who has played most of his football in the lower leagues gets picked.
Ok, I understand that you don't want a Norwich player in the England team, but I really don't understand what you are talking about. Holt gets fouled far more than he fouls, and the fouls he buys in dangerous positions are invaluable. The only thing Holt doesn't have is a left foot, other than that he is the complete striker with a decent amount of flair. The only way calling Holt up to the England team would be going back 15 or 20 years would be in picking players from outside the 'big clubs', on form, and not because the media have proclaimed them as part of the 'golden generation.'
you seem to be getting me wrong supers, I don't think he is a thug, what he does is uses his strength to his advantage to gain a yard or to draw a foul from the defenders. What i'm saying is in international football you just can't do that, refs will always pick up on the first point of contact and that will be holts on the defender.
Actually, if holt was in the side i would support him as much as any Ipswich player if they got in the side because i support England no matter who is playing. I presume you didn't read an earlier quote i made about Ruddy?
Also i think your wrong about going back 15 20 years when players were selected from the smaller clubs, at that time it would not be unusual to see a whole England squad coming from Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal & Tottenham. Its only in recent years have players from Bolton, Villa, Birmingham, West Ham etc etc have got into England squads!
thats exactly what llorente does for spain and he's world class! i think you are misjudging the situation guru. whether that is because bias is getting in the way i don't know - it doesn't appear that way - but picking holt for england in one of the upcoming friendlies, would you not agree, is surely a no-brainer. judge him after a couple of friendlies at the very least - if he doesn't do enough then at least he was given the chance to show what he can do. by ignoring him it proves what a farce the selection process is
I read the comment. But I can only assume that your allegience clouds your judgement with regard to Holt's merits - and him being a supposed bruiser.
Listen, if that was to happen i would say fair play to him, but i just believe he isn't suited to international football. If he proved me wrong i would be the first to admit it!
once again, i commented that i didn't think he was a thug/bruiser, just that he used his bulk/strength to make situation happen for him to gain that extra yard.
i think you're showing your bias i'm afraid. there is literally no clear reason for holt not to be called up for at least a friendly or two. to say he isn't suited based on him possibly giving away a few free kicks is daft. and i tell you what, the FA are missing a trick - if holt does get called up they'll sell 30,000 england 'holt #9' shirts in 24 hours!! in the words of alan partridge, "cashback"!!
Not when he arrives late in the box, front post, back post, running onto the through ball, drifting into the channels, dropping deep to link up play, leading the pressing game from the front etc. There is far more to Holt's game than playing on the shoulder of the defender and acting as a target man. Add to that his leadership qualities and work ethic.
