Grant Holt is good enough for the Premier League

I don't know about you but I have spent most of the season supporting Grant Holt against my doubting mates, who all support other clubs.

Ever since he burst onto the Canary scene he has been awesome. His goals have propelled us from League One into the Premier League and I for one know that he'll keep scoring.

My first sighting of Holty was in the 1-7 drubbing against Colchester. He impressed me that day and I remember him still chasing down the ball in the 90th minute. My point being that he didn't give up. Fans like to see players giving their all and that is exactly what Holt does. Win, lose or draw he always leaves the field without anything more to give.

My work mates support a variety of teams; the usual Man Utds as well as a Leicester fan, a Blackpool fan and my boss supports Ipswich! Last season the Leicsester fan, Rich was adamant that Holt wouldn't cut it in the Championship. He was so sure he bet me £20 that he wouldn't score 15.

I of course took that bet and won (although he paid me in 1p and 2p pieces). My boss described him as 'Fat, slow and not good enough'. That was before the first derby of the season (although he naturally claimed Holt shouldn't have even been on the pitch when he scored his third - always gracious in defeat!).

Now it's started again - despite last season's tally of 23, my mates reckon he still won't cut it. This season's bet is a tenner with Rich and another tenner with Craig the Blackpool fan that Holty won't get 10 league goals. I reckon that this is a decent shout for me and I'll tell you why.

Of course Holt isn't blessed with blistering pace but he's a lot smarter than people give him credit for. He's strong of course and will be unpleasant to play against for the likes of Ferdinand and Terry. He will be in their faces and imposing himself against them.

Because of his physicality he will always win his fair share of headers and from free kicks and corners he'll always be a threat - not to mention that he's now the chief penalty taker as well. With the amount of fouls he wins, he's bound to win a few pens himself.

He'll get those ten - no problem. But he will also contribute goals for others. Remember that he holds the ball up brilliantly and lays it off with aplomb, plus he can cross the ball when he's working the channels - remember that cross in the 90th minute at home against Swansea when he crossed for Jackson to volley home?

I'm looking forward to this season and don't think we have anything to fear. I'm also looking forward to picking up my winnings when Holt gets his tenth - just not looking forward to counting it when Rich pays it in pennies again!

OTBC

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