City captain Grant Holt has admitted that while he’s happy to be a regular name on the scoresheet, it’s the Canaries’ recent form which is giving him the most pleasure.
The summer signing took his 09/10 tally to 12 in the 3-1 weekend win at Stockport and the 28-year-old revealed that Canary spirits were high after six wins in their last seven.
Holt has certainly hit the ground running after his £500,000 move from Shrewsbury and his start to life in Norfolk – from a goals point of view – has been more profitable than that it was for Messrs Earnshaw, Ashton and Roberts.
And with Saturday’s success at Edgeley Park taking Norwich to within four points of second placed Charlton, the City talisman believes they are ‘within touching distance’ of a charge on the automatic spots.
“It’s obviously nice to see the goals go in but as I’ve said before it’s about wins and I’m just glad that the team is winning, it’s good to see us creep up the league,” he told the club’s official site.
“We’re within touching distance now and we’ve got the belief, the desire and we know where we want to be – we’re going in the right direction for that.
“The lads just want to be there or thereabouts, we know what we can do. And now we’ve put a run together, we need to stay in that position now.”
One thing they won’t be doing, however, is worrying about their promotion rivals. Slowly but surely, City have got themselves in a strong position – but that’s the way they like it.
“We’re not looking at anyone else; we’re just worrying about ourselves. If we keep going out and doing the job we know we can, week in, week out, we know we won’t be far off and fortunately it’s gone for us again today.
“We’ve got a chance to get away from the league next week in the FA Cup and concentrate on that and then it’s back to work against Tranmere.”
His decisive third at the weekend – after County pulled one back to ensure a few nervy moments – came after some tenacious work from substitute Cody McDonald, who robbed Michael Rose of the ball to set up ‘The Horse’.
And after his efforts put the ball on a plate to make it game, set and match, Holt had some kind words for the likeable Essex boy afterwards.
“I think everyone knows what Cody’s got. He’s lively and he works hard and to be fair he hasn’t been having a run-out at the moment.
“But that shows the way the manager has got us all going as a squad, if you come on – do something. Great harassing by him on the side and good vision for him to put the cross in and I’m very grateful.”
City boss Paul Lambert was forced to change a winning line-up before the contest, with no recognised right-back available.
But the out-of-position Adam Drury, as well as the impressive Jens Berthel Askou and Gary Doherty, meant the Canaries had a solid platform on which to build from – a fact not lost on Holt.
“They’ve been brilliant. The back four obviously have had to reshuffle today – Laps [Simon Lappin] has gone in at left-back and done well, Adam Drury at right-back did well and the two lads at the back have been brilliant.
“Doc’s come in the last few weeks and steadied the ship as in his talking and experience and it’s great to see him back involved and playing the way we know he can.”
As for Holt, he is certainly continuing the good form which saw many League One clubs court his signature in the summer.
And the way he has taken on the extra responsibility of being captain has been as striking as his goal tally.
But he’s a big character – and being Norwich City skipper is something he is clearly relishing.
“It’s an honour to be captain of this football club. And obviously when the team are doing well it can only help myself as a player first of all and as captain.
“It’s a good place to be at the moment, we’re performing well and winning games and I’m just happy at that.”
Tom Haylett
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