Holt: ‘My Job Here Isn’t Done’

Grant Holt today insisted he will stay and fight for his future at Nottingham Forest – but revealed his disappointment at the club’s decision to accept a £300,000 bid from Bristol City.

The former Rochdale striker rejected a move to Ashton Gate last week after holding talks with City manager Gary Johnson.

He says he is determined to force his way back into Colin Calderwood’s plans and believes he has done enough to prove he still has a future at the City Ground.

‘£300,000 is what they paid for me and I think I’ve justified that amount,’ he said. ‘Obviously I’m disappointed that the club don’t value me enough to keep me here when I’ve got eight goals this year and gave a big contribution last season.

‘I’d heard there was interest, but I didn’t know if it was a loan or permanent. But it was a permanent move – they accepted the money and I got called in and told to get myself down there.

‘It’s not a nice position to be put in when my wife’s got three weeks to go before she gives birth.

‘Out of courtesy to Bristol City I’ve gone down there to talk to them but at the moment I don’t think it’s the right move for me.

‘I don’t know if it’s the manager’s decision or the board’s, but I’m disappointed with the way I’ve been treated. But I’ve just got to get on with it, pick myself up and keep showing people what I can do.’

Since the beginning of October, Holt has had to watch as Junior Agogo and Neil Harris established themselves as Calderwood’s favoured strike duo.

And his route to the first team has been further impeded by the return of Nathan Tyson from knee ligament damage, while Scott Dobie is also on the comeback trail. But after only signing for the club in January, Holt insists he is not yet ready to call time on his Forest career.

Speaking after Forest Reserves’ 2-1 win at Port Vale last night, he said: ‘I’ve had a chat with my wife and everything is good at Forest. I’m enjoying my football and I think I showed tonight that even though I’m in the reserves, I’m trying my hardest to get back into the team.

‘I feel my job here isn’t done. It’s a great club and I want to go with them where they are headed this year.’




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