Why did Hughton substitute Kamara for Holt in the first place? Kamara was having a cracking game up front!
totaly agree with you. there is no way i would have taken him off. hes hold up play and work in the air was different class
He's not quite fully match fit so rather than risk a silly injury due to tiredness, it makes good sense to bring him off after an hour or so! I feel sorry for him, that goal was his until Wes nicked it!
Did you go up and watch it with your Sunderland mate in the end? I bet he spent all game apologising to you!
After watching the game on Sky my view is, (1), sending off correct, (2), Sunderland penalty, correct, the fact that Fletcher was coming back from an offside posistion made no difference as he made no attempt to play the ball and was therefore deemed inactive, (3) definite handball by Rose should have been a penalty, (4) how did Holt get away with a yellow card after a 2 footed lunge on the keeper ?. They were the highlights of a crap game.
It was Kamara who set up the goal, not Bassong and I'm guessing CH brought on Holt because his work rate is excellent, will chase to try and win the ball, I would have personally subbed E.Bennett and kept Kamara on though. I'm still not convinced it should have been a sending off for Bunn and it definitely shouldn't have been a Sunderland penalty.
What's with all the HOLT bashing on here, it's not his fault he's not scoring goals, it's the system we play. I personally hate the "1 up top" whatever that means? Poor bugger has ran and ran and ran for the cause this season, he has an off game and it seems he's had it, and will be playing for Leeds next season as one post wrote!! Yes the tackle deserved more than it got, but I honestly believe he didn't do it out of malice, just a clumsy attempt to get the ball and gain an advantage. No way would Kamara have been a nailed on certanity to score that, has anyone seen him have a chance like that since he's been with us, I can't remember him using his feet to shoot at goal, his forte is heading! Remember the goal Holty got against Ipswich 2 years ago, very similar to the chance he had against Sunderland, he scored that one, and didn't on saturday, think back to all the penalities he's scored for us, missed one and should be dropped. Sorry everone but thats just so wrong. Put a attacking midfielder in the team, tell the back four to push up, get the ball out to the wingers and tell them to get a cross in early, Holt will score then! It's not Grant Holts fault that we are one of the lowest scorers in the division, it's the tactics. We should have beaten, West Ham, QPR, Newcastle, we didn't because we are too defensive, happy with a point, just those results would have given us another 6 points add that to what we have now, and what you get? 40 points and safety!
Agree re:Holt.I think he is carrying a bit more weight this season but his overall contribution has been fine.
I find it difficult to criticise Holty after all he has done for us, and because he's had to adapt to a new system and more lonely role this season, but...I do think he's lost something this year. We do get sparks of the great man such as the Everton winner (which required cracking anticipation and a clever finish albeit from 1 yard) but I think he's been more prone to poor control and carrying less aerial threat. His "professional cleverness" in getting the better of opponents or fouls has bordered on theatrical at times and I think the refs have largely caught on to him (bar the So'ton penalty). Maybe it's a blip but, should we stay up, don't be entirely surprised if he moves on this summer. If he does, I hope we get to know in enough time to give him the massive send-off he deserves at CR.
I for one will be totally shocked if he moves on in the summer, he's our club captain, our leader, our inspiration, our Mr 100%. Those of you old enough to remember Duncan Forbes, will fully understand that you don't need to be the greatest footballer in the world to be an inspirational club captain. Duncan Forbes was the Grant Holt of the time and vice versa, both exceptional leaders and superb roll models!
Holt's a hero for what his done but I think the contract saga over the summer has damaged his reputation a bit with some of our fans. His been unchallenged at the club for most of the season and I think he'll improve because he now has competition for his place, putting him on the bench was the best thing as you know he'll up his game.
I totally understand and share your sentiments, ILD, and I hope he does stay on for the leadership and inspiration he provides. He's played a different role this season and I'm sure that's why his "output" has been different from last year. If we have a squad next year that enables a more attacking approach, then he'll no doubt benefit. I'm not questioning his class and what he's done for us, but I don't think he's been in consistent good form this season although he invariably makes a positive impact to team performance. Again, he did have the hamstring tweak at Xmas so I have to allow for that too. What happens over the summer in terms of acquisitions will very likely determine his likely role next season; whether it is more attacking or not and, to be frank, whether or not he is first choice forward or not.
