Indeed, about three weeks before which kind of blows a hole clean through Carrabuh's disingenuous suggestion.
holt wanting to leave initially was entirely down to family issues. he agreed to stay and there is no question he was unhappy with the coaching staff at the club as the season progressed but it was still the family issues which were the overriding issue in him wanting to leave the club. the fact he wasn't happy on a footballing front has merely given him an excuse to blame someone else for having an indifferent season. i think he should have kept his mouth shut.
It's just a combination of things. How can a player of his age turn down a three year deal at a club that probably pays as much as we do? We weren't going to offer him a three year deAl and he certainly wouldn't get as much football.
Thought so. Maybe he didn't like CH tactics, but I don't believe that's why he wanted to leave, just gave him another excuse to force in a transfer.
Holt put in his transfer request just before Adam Drury's testimonial, and before Lambert had even resigned. It is obvious that CH's (completely justified) decision to start building a future for us as a PL club based on sound defence didn't suit Holty. It is equally obvious that that is far from the whole story. The disappointing aspect of it is that for all his saying what a great four years he had etc. (and despite the huge benefit he gained financially over his time with us), he appeared so self-centred and churlish towards the club and its longer term interests.
If we had gone down maybe he could have had a right to make these comments, however it was our best year for two decades, and as club captain that should have been all that mattered. Just think, would our previous 'God' Darren Huckerby have done that?
Holt was being honest. Surely that's what we want from our sporting stars, it's much better than lies, smoke screens and toeing the corporate line. Things are far more exciting when people tell the truth! Holt has only stated what we already knew. He disliked our tactics last season, who didn't? We all knew he was unhappy. He was asked direct questions which he answered. Grant Holt was a legend for the club, but he was never and will never be a Norwich City fan like Hucks is. People seem to expect an unrealistic level of loyalty from Holt.
Honest? Yes, but only up to a point. There's more to honesty than giving an honest answer to a particular question. As was once famously said by a Cabinet Secretary "I did not lie; I was economical with the truth".
I fail to see anything disingenuous about my answer, I fully believe the Hughtons tactics pissed him off no end, the reason I say this is because it pissed so many of the fans off (Munky included). If anything, Munky is being the least honest with himself because despite agreeing with Holts opinion (certainly when we were struggling) he then denies it as a reason for leaving. Nobody knows the reason but I'm more inclined to believe it from the horses mouth than whispers and gossip, particularly as it was a very valid point. In addition Holt said absolutely nothing wrong or anything that would destabilise the club.
I think Carrabuh's got a point. I think Holt was being honest and I don't really think that Hughton would have an issue with what he said either. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Holt actually said "I left because I didn't like the tactics", I believe he said "I didn't perform well because of the tactics". The latter is true to an extent (I actually think he performed that badly, but it doubtlessly ruined his England chances). It's not a surprise the tactics annoyed him, in fact it was pretty obvious and perfectly reasonable, and unsurprising, to say so. The key is to separate the different moments. He handed in a transfer request because he wanted to leave at that time - nothing to do with Hughton. Hughton persuaded him to stay, he persuaded him to extend his contract. Now, we have had a different situation - Holt left because we wanted to sell him, a good offer came in and it was the perfect opportunity for Holt.
he was never going to be first team choice this season his age speed, and weight were all against him playing in the top flight. he has now come down to his real level, lets see what he can do at wigan.if you want to see him play in the flesh, [theres plenty of it ] you are always welcome at portman rd. see you all there.
i would have to question your use of the word 'honest'. yes, he's honest about not enjoying the tactics employed but no, he's not being honest about his real reasons for leaving the club.
IMO, Holt left because he no longer fits the style of play at City. Gary Hooper was brought in because he does and he's a lot younger than Holt. Carrabuh will use this as another chance to bash CH about his 'defensive tactics' when the real reason is simpler than that. Wigan's style under Coyle will suit him, as will the Championship defences as well as moving closer to his family. It was a natural move for him to make before a season in which his playing opportunities would be very limited. Good for him, good for the club. win-win
When the rumours gathered pace about Holt being sold, in reply to a question about his future Holt replied that that was a decision for the club. The impression he gave was that he was quite prepared to honour the rest of his contract if that was what the club wanted him to do. To me that implies that for all his dislike of the tactics last season, he would still be a City player if the club had wanted to keep him. Also, he said in the M&B interview that his family situation had stabilised and that that would not have prevented from staying. I think Rob is correct when he says that Holt went because the club thought it was the right time for him to go and the opportunity opened up for him at Wigan. Given that that is so, while it is no doubt true that Holt, as he said, disliked the tactics, it is not true that that was his reason for leaving. I would think all three of them knew what spin was going to be put on it.
I didn't feel like Holt particularly badmouthed Hughton in the interview. He said he didn't much like that tactics as everyone knew. And we had all accepted Holt going was probably the right move all round so I don't get why people are getting so flustered over this. It does feel like Carrabuh is just using this as an opportunity to bash Hughton as that's his favourite pass time.
