Why Grant Holt Should Represent England At Euro 2012

Let's not disguise it, England has a problem. For years now, the national side has had its issues: with managers; with formations and with players. This summer's tournament in Poland and Ukraine is no different, and as it stands the team has no leader, no manager and no direction. Come June, Stuart Pearce (or possibly a Harry Redknapp cameo) will have to sew a patchwork squad together whilst the press howls for a new generation to be blooded. Whereas the future is obviously important, this year's tournament is about now and represents a unique opportunity for an underdog to steal the title, and for England to do so, they need their own underdog. Grant Holt.

There are obvious voices for opposition to Holt's promotion to the top stage, he's not fast and he has no experience at International or Continental level, he only has 33 games at Premier League level. Recent call-ups for over 30's have not produced any performances of outstanding note. Examples include Kevin Davies' call-up to face Montenegro in 2011, Alan Thompson's substitute appearance in a 2004 friendly, Tim Sherwood - under Keegan - and Chris Powell's 5 game run at left back in 2001. History does not favour the shock call-ups and even if there is a shock - take Theo Walcott in 2006 - they still might not get to play.

 

But enough of the negatives, this blog is about massaging the minds of the England selectors (whom I sincerely hope are reading) into taking the Norfolk legend-in-the-making to Krakow, in both the hope that he will add to the national side, and get his just rewards for a dedicated career in the game.

Originally from Carlisle, Holt has progressed through Workington, Halifax and Barrow up to Nottingham Forest and Norwich, playing in over 6 tiers. A summer cameo for Sengkang Marine in Singapore is also in his resume. You don't play 350 English League games without learning a few tricks and the natural progression with Norwich, as top club scorer in 3 consecutive leagues stamps his ability to adapt to higher levels with ease.

Holt's goals this year have come against International quality defences. Chelsea, Liverpool, Everton and Swansea have hosted 5 of his strikes and at home Blackburn, QPR, Newcastle, Man Utd, Wolves and Everton have felt the force of Holt. Out of these teams, the defenders on show represent England, Holland, France, Sweden, Portugal, Wales, Serbia, Slovakia and Congo at the top. Stamford Bridge, Anfield and Goodison Park are not easy places to go and score and the only top teams missing from the list of internationals are Spain and Germany.

With regards to those goals, there aren't many scrappy ones. For all their passing and technique, Norwich are a long ball team, with a league high 15 of their 47 goals coming from headers. 5 of these were Holt's. He took two penalties and scored them both - of which there is obvious value to the national side. In short, Holt's natural game would fit into the England set up, as the history of playing wingers and aiming to beat teams down the flanks requires someone capable of good positioning and heading ability. 2 of England's 3 goals at the last World Cup came from crosses. With Ashley Young, Adam Johnson, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Stewart Downing or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to make the team, and overlapping fullbacks, Grant Holt is much more accomplished to finish the chances these players would create then the likes of Jermaine Defoe, Darren Bent or Danny Welbeck.

But Holt isn't just a battering ram or target man. His goal to swing the tie against Wolves was the mark of a striker with a great footballing mind, and the touch and composure to match, which drew the attention of others than just myself: 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/mar/25/norwich-wolverhampton-wanderers-premier-league-report1

And finally, the comparison against his competition:

• Defoe - Took a while, but graduated to become an England regular. If he had played for Spurs all season, would be a certainty; probably to start. The irony is that Harry Redknapp's lack of faith in him may be carried to the England side should he step up.
• Bent - A completely different player to Holt. A poacher, who's played for a bad team this year. Seems to score goals all the time, except for his rare England chances.
• Sturridge - Has shown talent, including substitute appearance in the latest friendly. Should be taken, but deployed on the wing.
• Welbeck - Has moved into Sir Alex Ferguson's first team, but still needs to improve finishing and first touch before becoming integral to England. Is developing a rapport with Rooney.
• Rooney - No-one will keep him out, England's best striker.
• Crouch - Holt's main comparison, has had his chances but hasn't been as hot at Stoke.
• Carroll - Flopped after gargantuan transfer, may mature to hold England number 9 shirt, far too inconsistent and out of form.
• Zamora - Can be a brilliant target, but form has been patchy and needs a consistent domestic season to impress.
• Campbell - Missed too much of Sunderland's season, despite fleeting shines.
• Agbonlahor - Has missed games and played in a poor side, may have missed chance.
• Graham - Done Holt's job at Swansea. Hasn't done more than good finishing.

There are infinite combinations of reasons to support and condemn a player's selection for England, but the point trying to be raised for Grant Holt's inclusion in the Squad for Poland and Ukraine is that all his stock is falling together at just the right time. He's had a relatively easy season - 38 games maximum - and in those games he's scored goals, set up attractive play and maintained great form. Behind Rooney, he is statistically England's best striker and on the tactics board he ticks all the boxes of England's game plan. A final point of note is his influence on a squad. As Norwich captain, he's a leader, who knows the game and knows how to inspire the players around him. Holt would bring a refreshing change from the normal mentality of an England player, who realistically would be making his grand finale of journeyman football career. With nothing to lose, and nothing bigger in his career after this summer, he wouldn't take himself too seriously (I'll never forget watching him instigate an ear flicking policy on the loser of a keepy-uppy contest in a warm-up) and would play with the freedom that would allow his talent to flow at the tournament.

Barring Paul Lambert's surprise call up as manager, I implore the boss to select Holt, as the catalyst for tournament success needs some ingenuity and braveness, and Grant Holt's inclusion might just give that to the nation.