Grant Holt Norwich’s talismanic captain and prolific goal scorer, is being touted as an answer to England’s goal scoring issues by some, but is being easily dismissed by others.
When he first moved to Carrow Road, I knew very little. A quick scan of Wikipedia had shown him as a bit of a journeyman and paying a reported £400,000 looked like somewhat of a risk for a seemingly overweight and under qualified main centre forward. Having previously had players like Earnshaw, Ashton and Huckerby leading the line, all respected and well known. I’ll happily admiit I was wrong.
The season was a whirlwind, 44 appearances garnered 30 goals storming to the League One title. Many wrote off Holt and Norwich as soon as Promotion was confirmed. In 48 season appearances, 23 goals were scored and Norwich sneaked into 2nd place; automatic promotion to the Premier League from the Championship.
It’s here; the Premier League where Grant Holt has staked a genuine claim for an England place. Many bracketed him in the same category as David Nugent and Jay Bothroyd. Making the move up to the Premier League killed two very successful Championship careers. The step up was just too much. Grant Holt however has strode into the Premier League and impressed, goals against Liverpool, Everton, Arsenal, Manchester United & Newcastle have helped his tally reach 14 with one game still remaining and 16 in all Competitions.
He’s the second top English goal scorer, if he was at a more fashionable club I don’t think there would even be a question, he would be on the plane. He has been written off all season and yet he keeps producing. His qualities and how he uses them to his great advantage give him a bit of the Shearer or Drogba about him. He is not just a burley old fashioned number 9. As anyone who saw his back heel at Goodison Park or the composed finish at home Wolves can testify. If it were Messi who finished either, it’d have hundreds of thousands of hits on YouTube. It’d be a massive risk to include without seeing if he can make the step up but if Hodgson is willing to take a gamble on Grant, he wouldn’t be chancing on the passion and work rate which is a highlight of his style.
England have two friendlies between now and the start of the EUROs, if Holt isn’t given a chance in either Hodgson won’t be pick his squad for the right reasons. England has for years been relying on the big names that have never delivered and often omitted the form players because they are less fashionable, or play for a less fashionable club. Why not give a chance to Holt who will run himself into the ground for the cause. On merit he should be renewing his passport already.
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