Simeon Jackson celebrates Norwich's winner with Grant Holt in Swansea. Photo: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images
Grant Holt not fussed over Norwich City’s Premier League possibilities this season
Michael Bailey
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
8:00 AM
The more optimistic Norwich City fans may be starting to cast their eyes towards a possible European campaign next season – but you won’t see Grant Holt getting excited about such things.
The Canaries’ impressive 2012 form has propelled them to a 14-point gap from Wolves, Bolton and Wigan in the Premier League’s relegation places. But all the more remarkable are the eight points up to the millionaires of Chelsea, sitting fifth in the top-flight’s final European qualification berth with 13 games remaining.
The Premier League’s top four come May qualify for the 2012-13 Champions League – currently Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal – while the Blues would be set for the Europa League alongside the best FA Cup and League Cup performers not in that Champions League mix.
This season’s Fair Play League can also represent a Europa League opening – although City lie eighth behind the likes of Swansea, West Brom and Fulham on that score; English football would need to rank in the top three of Uefa’s own fair play table to even be offered one of the extra European spots.
All of which states exactly why European suggestions at Carrow Road should be dismissed – for now, at least.
“Europe? I’m not too fussed to be fair – staying up is the main objective and we’ll see where it takes us,” said skipper Grant Holt, with City hosting Leicester City in the last 16 of the FA Cup this weekend.
“We are happy and we are enjoying ourselves, and when you are enjoying football and you are enjoying coming into work every day, it’s fantastic and I think it shows on the pitch that we have got a belief and desire to win games no matter where we are.
“We’re in a fantastic position, we are delighted with the points we have so far and we just need to build on that over the next few weeks and get over that line as quickly as possible.”
That line is widely regarded as 40 points – City currently sit eighth in the Premier League table with 35.
Holt, 30, admitted during a impromptu question and answer session on his Twitter account this week that “of course” he would love to finish his career at Carrow Road, adding, “love it here”. The Championship strike partnership last season that helped push Norwich over the line has been reunited in recent weeks with Simeon Jackson alongside the Canaries number nine.
Jackson’s performance earned an enthusiastic standing ovation during City’s 3-2 win at Swansea on Saturday and Holt is enjoying the pair’s reunion.
“We have been with each other for a long time and we kind of know what each other is going to do really, and I think that always helps when you realise it,” said Holt.
“But I’m happy to play with anyone here. I thought me and Steve (Morison) were striking up a good partnership and then different formations come along and Simeon has come in and been great.
“He has been itching and absolutely on fire in training, and scoring goals for fun – and you can see when he is in that form and he is in that mood to run people well, there is no one better.”
You could say all that has been missing from Jackson’s latest Premier League outings has been a goal.
“That’s it – in two games he has done everything but score. I keep saying, for some reason he keeps passing and I’ve never seen him do it before in my life. But I’m sure next week he will stash one away.”
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22 comments
I know that the rule changes mean that any thing goes in penalty these days but the way in which Graham minced up to the ball was ugly and the shot was poor, unfortunately Ruddy failed on that one, it was savable.
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Swiss Canary
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Take it you`re not a great Holty fan then, smithrob?
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Mad Brewer
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Just need to stop him elbowing people when the ref is not looking. And at last, on Saturday the ref spotted him doing what he always does - pulling players shirts. Well taken penalty that!
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smithrob
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Holty's already played in Asia (Singapore), he'd relish a chance to play in Europe, especially with the Canaries, but like the rest of Carra Rud staff, he is 'taking one game as it comes, and letting results take care of themselves'.
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Soglio Star
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Where`s SussexYellow when you need him??
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Twas the cast in my eye as I look towards Europe next season, City being lead by a trendy new Holt and the Cinnaman Kid.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Get educated, Sian. It`s never too late. In most cases.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
What's occuring? All I got from Ged was a short shift, very short in fact.
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Sian
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Don`t worry yourself about Sarky remarks, Cutty! You have to give these young witches a short shift. My local Rabbi, Burns told me that! OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Yeh sorry about that I just got over excited.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Ah that's the problem Cutty. You keep 'spitting up'. Dirty habit that.
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jharding
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Still none the wiser. It went through when I spit it up.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Then maybe the MOTD gurus would forget that 'old fashioned' tag.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Someone suggested Holty for England, my thoughts on how to acheive that are; he should get tattooed up, get a weird hair cut, wear gloves, and develop a scoring dance.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
In the naughty corner yet again. Bear with me lads see if I can figure out what triggers it.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Earlier in the week someone suggestsd Holty for England. Been thinking about it and he needs to get tattooed up, a stupid hair cut, gloves and a special goal scoring dance. Then maybe the MOTD gurus would forget that 'old fashion' tag.
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Just been ethered again!
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cutty
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Totally agree with you MB – was thinking this on the way home last night – The rangers holt bid, in my opinion, was to show to the fans that they were actively looking to replace Jelavic; knowing full well that their offer would be rejected.
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@jonmknight
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
It's hard to see how such a huge club as Rangers, with such a massive captive audience can go bust! It's not like an entire country going bankrupt! Oh, hang on.....
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jharding
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
The "bid" by Rangers for Holt was a scam, surely? Whichever way you look at it. Had City accepted the derisory offer (some sources stated £1m) Rangers would have beaten the transfer embargo now upon them and cheated Norwich. More likely, it was just an act of obfuscation while Administration was being lined up. If they`d really wanted Holt, they must have known their "offer" was way off the mark. I bet McCoist knew nowt about it. He seems an honourable fellow and understands the value of a player. Agree with Lobbo. Why would Grant want to go down 2 Leagues? He will be one of the biggest characters in the Canary Hall of Fame if he stays with us! OTBC.
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Mad Brewer
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Would we have seen any of the fee if the deal had gone through or would it have been an Ipswich style 5p in the pound five years down the road?
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Jeremy Walden
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Bet he's glad nothing came of the Glasgow Rangers bid. Not that I thought for a minute that he'd be interested.
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Lobbo
Wednesday, February 15, 2012