There has been a lot of talk about the need to keep Grant Holt .Personally I think its far more important for Hughton to keep hold of Howson, Pilkington , Bennett (Elliott) and Ruddy,as I could see Lambert trying to raid all of them for Villa. These four to my mind ,with perhaps Ryan Bennett also ,would form the foundations of our team, going forward.Does anyone agree?
I'm not sure I would say far more important. There's no sign that any of these players are targeted (though they may well be behind scenes). The fact is the public priority atm is to get our captain and top scorer back on side. If the right offer comes in for any player, we should sell. That's football
i think a solid spine will aid the team no doubt, all these players are on long deals and I don't think villa have the courage to pay what we'll slap on them I don't think we're any more likely to get raided for these players than we are any other team in the prem. It's a good reflection of how many great players we have at the moment Welcome aboard btw jarrolder
i think naturally holt could go to villa this summer but i can't see villa being able to afford any of the others
Let us see what Hughton can do. I have a positive feelign about things and even Holt may stick rather than twist.
Personally I think most the players will find it hard leaving Norwich since we have given them Premier League football, everyone seems pretty settled and everyone seems to get on with one another in the team. I think especially Bennett and Ruddy they seem to really be enjoying their time at Norwich.
With Holt being a twat on twitter....he's alienated himself from some fans, as no player is bigger than the club, regardless of reaching legendary status or not. Yes, he has been a talisman for us, but he's only one man, he has 10 others around him on the pitch... If he goes (for a fair price) then so be it. Hughton will have his targets, and a plan should Holt go. As for the others?? Success (staying up) breeds attention, and I'm sure our players are being looked at...just depends whether they figure in Hughtons plans and if they want to stay.
According to an article in the Daily Mail, PL is NOT interested in GH - probably means he'll be signing for Villa next week then!!!! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...4/Paul-Lambert-considered-Grant-Holt-bid.html
Hughton's interviews seem to leave the door open for Holt to resolve his issues (which, and let's have no illusions, involve needing a bigger sack of cash to end his career on). If he goes will should get a decent amount of cash for him and the board have committed to making this, and any other sale proceeds, available to the manager. I completely agree that keeping hold of our excellent crop of young players must be a priority but we will need some wise old heads to guide them along. to paraphrase Hansen - you don't win anything with kids unless they happen to be Giggs, Scholes and Beckham. I personally hope Holt stays and makes his peace but if he doesn't then the club moves on and looks to replace him with someone else. Hughton must be like a kid in a sweet shop looking at the quality squad he has inherited - PL must be looking around and thinking which two or three do I keep?
I think Hughton may well be the man to convince Holt to stay and Alan Bowkett seems intent on keeping him as well. If Ian Culverhouse stays as well, Holty may well find it hard to refuse and IMO, he is well worth another year on his contract!
I agree that he is worth another year. And if it doesn't work out, all we need to do is recoup £400k and we've broken even on his time at the club - when you look at how much have his goals and captaincy earned the club in the last three years, it's a no-brainer?! (Assuming that is the sole reason for his transfer request)
I disagree about the third year. He has been told, there is no contract with three years on it. I imagine wages are negotiable to a certain degree without busting wide open the current structure but there doesn't appear to be manouvreing on the third year. Thats it. Take it or leave it. Whatever he cost or we would recoup is neither here nor there. We cannot have any threats to the financial stability we are now enjoying. Never mind our league status. I would rather be mid table Championship than up to our eyeballs in debt again.
if, as holt claims through his agent, he wishes to stay at the club and that its not about money, why on earth can't he agree to renegotiate his contract in 6 months time? if he's playing well he will no doubt get that extra extension he wants. why jeopardise your career with norwich? but i doubt that's the issue, because to me his agent is demanding too much money, and that comes above the extension in my opinion. shame
There is a new chance for Holt and I'm sure he'll listen to Hughton. We'll have to see but i hope he stays, and I think he will.
I think Holt will stay because I don't think the manager and board will give up on him and give him a new contract or some incentive to stay at the club. I think he will be very important to the team next season because I not see Morison or Jackson scoring many goals. The other key players should try and negotiate their futures with the club and sign new contracts.
It does seem that the sensible compromise is to offer a third year as an option, dependent on some criteria e.g. having played at least 50% of games the previous season.
IMO, Lambert will try to get Howson, Ryan Bennett and even though he's not ours, he will go for Naughton. Howson is a must keep for me. He showed in just a few games last season, he could be an England regular of the future.
i'll give him my quotes: holt - £7m and he's yours paul howson - £12m and he's yours paul bennett - £12m and he's yours paul here's what mcnally will quote: **** off paul
Oh I know that, Beefy. I don't think that will stop him from trying though. Any news on whether Whitbread will be offered a new deal now Lambert has gone?
