There was a moment, sometime around 4.50pm on Saturday afternoon, when the ‘Big Man’ could have taken one, big step closer to securing yet another place in Canary folklore.
For had skipper Grant Holt converted that last gasp penalty and prised another two points on the road to Premier League survival in the self-same way he had against Everton a fortnight before, then a fourth successive Barry Butler Memorial Trophy might have been his for the taking.
In the end, of course, Norwich had to settle for just the point; Holt – unusually for him – was left empty-handed; the script not quite writing itself this spring.
It also left that Player of the Season award firmly up for grabs; for once it might not be a foregone conclusion as to who is the belle of the ball at the final home game of the season.
For what it is worth, I would still put Holt minimum top three. It hasn’t been a vintage season goals-wise for the 31-year-old. But then he has been handed an all-too often thankless task up top on his lonesome – a task that he neither asked for, nor ever shirked.
His character remains a huge part of Chris Hughton’s jigsaw. Norwich invariably look so much the poorer in his absence; it is rare indeed for Holt not to put the proverbal big shift in; to lead his troops by unstinting example.
It’s just that – for once in his time at Norwich – he might not have the Player of the Season poll all his own way.
Because given the defensive nature of much of City’s season – ‘defensive’ in the sense that they have become that much harder to beat than in previous years – I suspect Sebastien Bassong could give Holt a real run for his money.
Russell Martin – having seen off the challenge of a luckless Steven Whittaker at right-back likewise is unlikely to be far away; after such a rocky start to his Canary career, Michael Turner proved rock-like amid the snowy squalls of the weekend.
And if consistency was one of the keys to unlocking this particular door, Bradley Johnson might not be a bad shout. He has worked tirelessly in the cause and, unlike his midfield partner Alexander Tettey, has avoided the kind of niggly bumps and bruises that can undermine any candidates chances of walking off with the season’s individual prize.
Wes Hoolahan – finally – got his due rewards earlier this year with that full Republic of Ireland call-up; but done enough to de-throne his strike pal Holt? Not sure.
There’s one point that has cropped up a few times of late when people start to judge the success or (still) ‘failure’ of Hughton this term – and that’s the amount of money he has actually spent to keep Norwich out of the danger zone going into the final quarter of the campaign.
He has, by Premier League standards, spent peanuts to grab a bottom third finish. Certainly in comparison, say, to the money a Stoke will have thrown Peter Crouch’s way.
And with precise transfer fees ever more the mystery these days, so the points-earned versus pounds-spent equation to, say, Bassong would be a telling statistic.
According to the Evening Standard: “It is believed the Carrow Road club will have to pay around £5.5m for the Cameroon international, who has two years left on his contract.”
Which, to my mind, has been money well spent; if, indeed, that was the money that Norwich spent.
The point being that the 26-year-old looks a player capable of holding his own in a top half Premier League team; maybe even top eight.
And that, for me, is probably the benchmark that Hughton and Co need to set themselves for next year; to ‘up’ the number of players within that dressing room that could play for a top eight club.
Find yourself three or four of that ilk – and John Ruddy might well be one – and slowly, but surely, that’s where you will drift. Upwards.
So, that’s where my money would go this season. On Bassong. Narrowly. From Holt. With a Johnson or a Martin somewhere in the mix.
Not sure why a certain Mr Snodgrass failed to garner a mention…….Good article as always though!
Absolutely no way Holt will even get a look in. He broke fans hearts on the summer, and would have to have performed miracles this season to win them back, which he as not been able to do.
Honestly I cannot pick out a really outstanding contribution. Bassong, Turner Snoddy and Tettey have made a difference but none that stands head and shoulders above each other.
I think I may not vote this season as I am undecided more than usual
Yes, I agree with Paul G and Rob Black. It is between Bassong and Snodgrass and Holt will not feature in the top three. If Ruddy/Bunn had been one person they might have featured but the split between them means that neither is likely to feature. Everyone other than Bassong and Snodgrass are only playing for the places at the moment – unless someone suddenly strikes a rich vein of goals between now and the end of the season. Not this year.
Bassong is the greatest single addition to the team this season. He is easily the first name on the team sheet (apart from Bunn when Ruddy’s injured that is). I’m not convinced I would pick Holt each week any more. I think Snodgrass, Bunn, Tettey and Turner have all had a good run too. I remain unconvinced by Johnson though. He epitomises exactly what Norwich as a team have now become. Constantly battling, works hard but doesn’t score goals.
Agree that Snoddy should be worth a mention… He contributes to most games (apart from collective no-shows such as Liverpool at home). He’s equalled Holt’s goals tally in the league and he didn’t suffer the loss of affection which Grant did thanks to last summer’s shennanigans…
Bassong by a country mile for me with Snodgrass second and Bunn fighting it out with Johnson for third. Too much inconsistency outside of them this season.
Holty shouldn’t be in the picture. Irrespective of any rancour which remains from the close season, he’s just not been consistent enough. He’s a good 8-10 goals shy of what the main front man should be bringing in for a season at the top table. Let’s hope for a late spurt from him!
If we are looking for a BIG personality then it has to be Michael Turner. Dreadful start, yet he never hid and has emerged as a vital part of a central defensive double act. Bassong is good, but at £5.5m he should be. Turner cost far less and has given everything for the cause……mind you so has Snoddy, Holt, Wes……oh, i don’t know….and what about Garrido, not done much wrong has he.
Holt doesn’t have a hope of winning POTS, regardless of whether he had scored at the weekend or not. For me it’s between Snodgrass and Bassong (currently leaning towards the latter, due to us being more reliant on defence than attack for points this season) and has been for a while. Bradley Johnson would be my choice for 3rd place but I wouldn’t be surprised or disappointed to see him finish second or even first in the voting.
Mikey B – Turner is fine as long as Bassong is next to him. Look at the games where Bassong has been missing – we’ve been hammered.
Wes was in the running until he got the new contract and slipped into ‘pipe and slippers’ mode.
Snodgrass and Bassong are the only contenders for me.Snoddy has been just about the only creative force in a largely dismal attacking effort over the season as well as tracking back effectively.
Bassong the defensive rock whose rare absences show what he brings.
As Snoddy was unproven at this level he will get my vote. Johnson the best of the rest
1. Sebastian Bassong
2. Mike Turner
3. Mark Bunn
In this of all seasons, it simply HAS to go to a defender. There have been none better than the two regular centre backs and the so-called ‘back-up’ custodian.
Snoddy with his creativity and tireless running or Bassong as the rock for me. OK, Holty is alone up top but appears to have lost some interest.
This article seems somewhat out of touch with what the fans on the ground are saying and thinking. For me Snodgrass and Bassong are way out in front of the pack. Ruddy would have been top three but for injury which realistically leaves Johnson to make up the top three. Turner deserves credit for the way he has answered his critics. Holt, Martin and Wes are WAY below their form of the last two seasons and will not feature when the trophies are dished out.