Grant Holt, who signed a new deal this week.
Grant Holt banking on a good reception from Norwich City fans
Friday, July 6, 2012
10:26 AM
Grant Holt does not fear he will have to repair his relationship with Norwich City fans now that his transfer request saga is over.
More than six weeks elapsed between the day Holt announced he wanted a move from Carrow Road, and the player being granted his wish with a new three-year contract.
But the club’s three-times top scorer and player of the year winner is not expecting any hostility from the home crowd over his close season hokey-cokey.
“I would hope not. As I said, I wanted the three years and I got that – and the only thing I can say about that is the reason was to see my career out here,” said Holt.
“They can look at it whichever way they want to take it. I never really wanted to go, and I’ve signed, which showed I wanted to stay.
“There have been a lot of things documented, and it could quite easily have gone the other way and I left – which wouldn’t have helped anyone to be honest.”
Holt’s 70 goals in 130 first team games were a major factor in City’s rise from the lower reaches of League One to mid-table in the Premier League under former boss Paul Lambert.
“I hope I’ll get the reception I deserve,” said Holt. “There will always be one or two who will try to see it as a negative, that I wanted to go – but I think if you ask the majority, they will hopefully be happy to have me here and signed and hopefully go for that fourth Barry Butler (player of the season award).”
The 31-year-old is not greatly concerned, either, about the fact he will be less of an unknown quantity for Premier League opponents after his 15 goals in the top flight last season.
“I’m sure last year they thought I was a big lump anyway, so they won’t get anything different this year,” said Holt.
“I’m not bothered. They said in League One I wouldn’t score many goals. In the Championship they said I wouldn’t score many goals. In the Premier League they said it.
“So I want everyone to keep saying that because if they keep saying I’m going to score goals I might struggle.
“I’ll just do what I do. It was documented last year I had lost a bit of weight and got a bit sharper.
“I’ve worked hard over the summer to get in the best shape I can and I’ve got six or seven weeks now with a new regime to get sorted.”
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25 comments
Grant Holt won't score any goals!
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Mellow_Yellow
Thursday, July 12, 2012
The rift appeared to be healed so quickly and so easily once it was attended to, it makes you wonder what the real cause was and who was behind fomenting it. Other than Pain. No mass exodus yet, though Beeb `Gossip Column` says James Vaughan is being offered in part-exchange for Birmingham`s Curtis Davis. I hope they get a top-of-the-range medical!
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Mad Brewer
Monday, July 9, 2012
No one should blame him for trying to get the best deal he can. I am also encouraged by his last couple of quotes - an admission he was a lot sharper when he lost a few pounds last year, and a recognition he may need to do so again over the coming weeks. A leader on and off the pitch!
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canarydownunder
Monday, July 9, 2012
Grant - pleased you are staying so let me give you a tip...Respect is a two way thing - you show it to the fans, you get it back threefold. Acknowledge and applaud them as they do you and you will be just fine. In getting what you wanted, just remember it is the amazing loyalty of Norwich City fans that has provided the opportunity for it to happen.
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Mel Lacey
Monday, July 9, 2012
Now that we are free to contradict you, I choose not to.
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cutty
Saturday, July 7, 2012
That`s fair comment, canarytim. No point in pretending that loyalty is not the preserve of fans - I include Saint Delia & MW-J in that. Ref. Beckham, if he can`t keep his temper in a Walt Disney League game for the California Candyfloss, then Psycho was right to leave him out of the Sebcolimpics. On another board, Canary Sid and I were pondering whether Pearce might be Sebcoerced into re-instating Becks after a convenient "injury" to one of the other overage players...... It`s good for the marketing side, you see.
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Mad Brewer
Saturday, July 7, 2012
Please feel free to contradict me
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canarytim
Friday, July 6, 2012
Well in the new era of Mr Naughton it looks like McNally has backed down and so be it. IFLGH but at the end of the day it's all about money. All the talk of 'seeing my career out' and 'settled young family' is all about money.
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canarytim
Friday, July 6, 2012
If he scores the winner against vanilla it really will make him a living legend.
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cutty
Friday, July 6, 2012
Another 15 league goals and a string of embarrassed opposition defences next season and we'll all happily forgive Holt for this little wobble.
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Robin Hood
Friday, July 6, 2012
He'll get a great reception, and for what he's done at the club over the last three years, that will be deserved (although to be honest, that would be true if he'd done nothing at all except score that hat-trick against That Lot). However, this summer he showed us the one thing we fans hate to see - he doesn't love us as much as we love him. He held the club to ransom, and got what he wanted. Personally I'll still love him, and I'm sure everyone else will too IF he keeps producing, but I think what he's given up is the undying support if he doesn't.
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Saturday Skin
Friday, July 6, 2012
I don't think Holt has anything to worry about, he made a lot of fans very happy. We all know NCFC should have just given him what he deserved in the first place.
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ImDrunky
Friday, July 6, 2012
I think that Grant has tattoos on his wrists that he ceremonially kisses when he scores. I also note that David Beckham has just been banned for a match in the USA for a Joey Barton-type incident. He is now sporting that spiv-type barnet that Barton had last season and looks quite similar.
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Swiss Canary
Friday, July 6, 2012
Cynical but correct, cutty. GH looks a bit old fashioned without the obligatory tats, bling and tonsorial nonsense. Perhaps that`s why Scott Parker`s England career took so long to take off? Again, looks a bit retro. Some of our younger guys look a bit O-F too; Ryan, Jonny and Jacob. Still they`re young enough to have a fashion makeover and force themselves into contention. Pilks and Jonno have a good `tattage`, so they`re in with a chance. What`s football got to do with it...... ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Friday, July 6, 2012
Al the focus on Holt has allowed Vaughn and Morison somes pace. Hopefuly they will return to training fit and in the right frame of mind. Jacko seems raring to go, Just Chris Martin to step up to the mark now. I gather Balotelli is to be a dad, is it worth Holty telling him Norwich is a nice place to bring up kids.
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Pondlife
Friday, July 6, 2012
I've said before Holty, if you had a weird hair cut and a few trendy tattoos you'd have been in the England squad, your goal scoring speaks for its self. You're part of our hall of fame and you'll get a great reception.
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cutty
Friday, July 6, 2012
I'm sure Grant will get a good reception from the crowd with the exception of a few N** Heads who are only in the ground to cause trouble if they can. Come on you yellows.
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goldie
Friday, July 6, 2012
I think the team will be a stronger unit 201213 - with PL now history they are going to unite as never before I think and it's going to make for a very interesting season. A good blend of youth, hunger and experience. OTBC
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richard
Friday, July 6, 2012
Well if Holty doesn't get a roaring reception then there is something seriously wrong!!! He has sorted himself out; the club have given him the extra year and he has always affirmed his commitment to the club. So a standing ovation me thinks and then lets get on with the task of keeping City in the PL. OTBC
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Canarygirl
Friday, July 6, 2012
There's no doubt in my mind, Grant will get a roaring reception!
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Norfolk'n'good
Friday, July 6, 2012
Oops! Getting confused with "Little Britain". Sorry. ;-)
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Mad Brewer
Friday, July 6, 2012
You are OK, Holty! Sid & Swiss sum it up. Yes, we know you can beat up defenders and they don`t like it much, but what they FEAR is the super goals you conjure up by virtue of your ability. They should watch a video of last season`s at Everton, for instance. Go on and pass the 100 goal mark! Ref Walliams, Southsea, can you imagine Holty in "The League of Gentlemen"? OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Friday, July 6, 2012
You go for it Holty! Keep doing what you've been doing - the Prima-donna premiership defenders dont like it up em! - It must be like playing an FA cup tie every week for most of them. Not that I am saying Holt isn't premier quality - he is, but his style is not easy for defenders to handle. I reckon if you asked Premiership defenders what attackers they most disliked playing against, Holty would be right up there with the best of them. (That said, dodgy photo Grant, makes you look a bit like David Walliams!) :-)
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Southsea Canary
Friday, July 6, 2012
Of course WFLGH. He didn't handle it very well but s**t happens. Onwards and upwards OTBC.
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Swiss Canary
Friday, July 6, 2012
We Fecking Love Grant Holt....No Bad Reception From me as i always thought you wanted to stay at NCFC and totally understand the Reasons you put transfer request in...
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CanarySid
Friday, July 6, 2012