Of course, KIO, if the Club sees fit, they can sell him. I was just responding to the view that moving his family back to Carlisle meant that he was unsettled as well.
If you look at it like this, though, you could argue anyone could leave. I think what people are arguing over is that probability. Let's look at what we do know: - He has two years left on his contract - He is our best striker - The club/Hughton made it very clear they didn't want him to leave last summer and a decent, if not stellar, season where he is clearly first choice doesn't indicate a change - His playing style means he could have another two or three years at this level, I beleiev, especially as an impact sub/club and dressing room presence -From the little I know of RvW, he appears to be ber when playing alongside another striker (as does Holt) and at this stage there is nothing to indicate that wouldn't work - He has said on twitter he wants to stay - He has moved his family North recently - He wants to end his career at Carlisle - He tried to leave last summer - He will, in all likelihood, not be our first choice striker next season I think just taking those at face value, he is likely to stay. And when you consider that being dropped has invariably made Holt work harder (he has had enough career blows to be level-headed and not sulk) I suspect he won't be too fussed. Might give him the opportunity to focus on leading and less pressure for goals (and fewer cock ups in front of goal). It might also be something he is relishing- to play next to a higher calibre player than he ever has before. Holt doesn't strike me as jealous or sulky and his career seems to be more about enjoying opportunities like this. Far more likely to leave are our other strikers Jackson and Martin. I actually think we might hold onto Vaughan as he has had a brilliant season by all accounts
i still love holt and i hope he stays,i think he will. assuming he does , can you see him and rvw starting together? i think it could work well. i must admit i can see jackson leaving now and it makes me wonder about bechio
Excellent summary of the situation CR. He did pretty wellwhen his family were up North previously and I see his role as an 'impact sub' (ie - coming on with 20 - 30 mins of the match left, NOT 5 or 10!!!) next season. Really think Jackson will leave, but will NEVER be forgotten for the winners against Derby and Portsmouth!!!!
This is a bit stupid to be honest. Firstly we still have strikers who don't get anywhere are first team yet, so why would we sell our best striker who is also are captain because the arrival of RVW. That's the other point, I think them two could work really well together. From what I've seen of him RVW has a creative spark as well and could easily play slightly deeper then Holt and feed him in. Or a less glamorous route, but he could get on the end of Holt flick ons. This is more a move which I think supports Holt rather than his calling card. Also for what it's worth, I don't think Kei Kamara will be here next season, I love the guy. But RVW and Hooper were our original targets in January, I hope this means that we don't pursue Hooper anymore but we'll wait and see. RVW has far more in his locker than Hooper and will probably end up cheaper than him too. A point about Hughton's late subs, I actually don't think Hughton has huge amounts of faith in our attacking players that he's inherited from Lambert, I think that's more the reason for the late subs.
Holt wouldn't want to leave, just from financial perspective he's on a winner staying at carrow road. No one will match his current salary
I agree about Holt staying YL, but do think that KK will be here next year. He's already provided two vital goals to keep City above the relegation scrap (I know Wes got the final touch on the second, but it wouldn't have happened without KK) and I think he will improve as he settles in to the PL. He offers qualities others don't have and his pace keeps defences playing deeper (even RVW is not particularly pacey). His value as an impact sub is worth his place on it's own.
If our strikers next year are RVW, holt, Becchio and kamara I'm not displeased. We will focus our next efforts on the midfield methinks.
Really glad we didn't sign Hooper. Strikers who I think will go this summer are Martin, Jackson and Vaughan so I think there is plenty of space in the squad, Becchio replaced Morison so the way I see it is we'll get in a big name like RVW, perhaps Kamara if his loan spell is good, because he can play on the left wing to or in one the those wide attacking roles if we every used 4-3-3 and I'll say that leaves an extra place for another forward.
Another point just to make do you all remember about over a year or so ago that Grant Holt was having a house specifically built? People move house all the time but when you design and have something build yourself it's more hassle then it's worth and defiantly a sign they are happy in the area. People read into things too much from twitter and come up with crazy conspiracy theories seriously it's not good for your sanity.
Looks like we've seen the last of David Fox in a city shirt :-( and Surman hasn't really featured, even before his injury. This season, Howson, when called on, has looked a shadow of the player who joined us last January, plus E. Bennett has only had short cameo appearances covering injuries. One thing I'm sure of, Pilkington needs serious competition on the left flank. He doesn't have any at the moment, and has tended to drift in and out of games where Snodders gives 100% every time he steps out
Anyone else think we might see Johnson deployed more frequently on the left next season? If we want to play 2 up top and Hoolahan, 2 wingers is selling ourselves short at the back, so maybe Johnson to play on the left of a kind of distorted diamond, with our new shiny DM at the base?
Yes, I've thought Pilks doesn't give his all every game. If he could learn to do that, he could become an awesome player IMO!
Spot on, couldn't agree more. I'd be very pleased with that quartet, and I think Holt is already quoted as saying he doesn't expect to start as many games as he gets older. I think he has been overworked this season and will be all the better for having less demand placed on him next season.
Holty was doing a q&a on Twitter last night he was asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how confident hed be an ncfc player next year, he answered: 10 Yes its Twitter etc etc but...
Having said that RVW is not particularly pacey, I've just had a look at the 3 goal compilations in the latest Pink'Un article and he does seem to be quite quick. With GH, KK and LB as well there seems to be an excellent 'mix and match' of strikers for any formation. The key now is a creative DM who can link play with or without Wes in the hole. After that a quality CB, Garrido on a perm and another quality LB and City will have a full PL squad. It's exciting just to think about another increase in quality next year.
Personlally I can see Holt/RvW playing together more often than Wes/RvW or Wes/Holt. If we play a formation to suit our players then it would make more sense to have both our record signing and our captain and proven striker at this level on the pitch as much as possible. Who knows how good they could be together as Holt's muscle, work-rate and massively underappreciated footballing intelligence (outside of Norfolk) should prove a perfect foil for his youger partner. I hope we keep KK as he offers us pace and an aerial threat and, whilst I know there is no room for sentiment in football, I think that he lights the place up with his can-do attitude and refreshing humility. I do think that dressing rooms benefit hugely from having good, strong characters in them.
Well said, Norfolbhoy - the dressing-room atmosphere is hugely important to the kind of fighting performance we saw last week. Holt's leadership is an important part of that as well.
