I Have Proved Myself ‘Granted’

Grant Holt believes he has finally proved himself at Nottingham Forest after being named the club’s Player of the Year.

And even though the leading scorer couldn’t add to his season’s total of 18 in the 0-0 draw with Crewe, he believes his performances have gone a long way to answering his critics.

Holt was told he could leave the City Ground in November when Bristol City made a £300,000 bid to land him.

But he turned down the chance to move to Ashton Gate and has since gone on to establish himself as Forest’s first choice striker.

He said: ‘I would have laughed if you’d told me back then that I’d be the Player of the Year.

‘But that’s in the past now – it has been and gone. The manager was true to his word that if I came back, he’d play me and he’s done that.

‘I’ve shown my respect to him and the club by coming back and scoring.

‘He will tell you it was a great decision by him to say that if I came back he’d play me – and I’ll say it was a bad decision by him to let me go in the first place.

‘I think we’re both happy. I think he will be happy with what I’ve contributed and I’m happy to be at a club of this stature.’

The decision to let Holt go caused a furore among fans – and the striker says the support he received from the terraces proved he had a future at the club.

‘They showed their feelings for me with the uproar at the time,’ he said.

‘I’m glad they’ve stuck with me and given me an accolade that’s worthy of this club.’

Holt now has a potential of three more games to add to his tally this season.

Forest must first overcome Yeovil – a side they have beaten twice already this season thanks to Holt goals – in the play-offs.

‘Obviously this one will be a little bit different, but we believe if we do what we do well we will get through,’ said Holt.

‘They are a team that we like playing. They suit us. They pass the ball well and if we work hard, press the ball we will be fine.

‘We are playing well and have only lost one in ten so the lads are buzzing at the minute because we are happy with what we are doing.

‘We kind of knew six weeks ago that the play-offs were coming, but we had to keep winning to give ourselves a chance.

‘In the play-offs you can’t just sit back and defend,’ he said.

‘It’s a good test for us and time to show how good we are.’

Source: Nottingham Evening Post