OFFICIAL - Arsenal sign Rob Holding

Boggersbelief wrote:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Don't encourage her 

I googled you and found this
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I lived in America for 3 years. I had bills to pay.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

whatsgoingon wrote:
The fact that you highlight the fact he's less entertaining than you has just demoted him even further down the list.
Just below this guy and slightly above pond life

Type 'Natasha Whittam' into Google. I am talked about on sites I've never even been on.

That's because I am interesting.

Jimmy Saville and Harold Shipman are talked about on sites they've never been on

Flitcroft tips ex-Wanderer Holding for the top with Arsenal

David Flitcroft reckons Arsenal have signed a class act in Wanderers defender Rob Holding.

Before the Tameside youngster had troubled the Bolton first team, Bury boss Flitcroft spotted his emerging talents and brought him on loan to Gigg Lane.

Holding played just once for the Shakers, who were close to securing promotion from League Two, coming on as a late substitute to see out a 2-0 win at Cambridge United.

But Flitcroft saw echoes of one of his former Barnsley charges, John Stones, in the teenager and kept a close eye on his progress after he returned to the Macron Stadium.

A few months later Holding had made his first-team bow, and the escalating financial problems forced Neil Lennon into making him a regular.

Then he helped Gareth Southgate's England's Under-21s win the Toulon Tournament in the summer.

Less than a year later and his Gunners debut on Thursday saw him come up against an MLS All-Stars side in San Jose that included world legends Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa and Didier Drogba – and he helped his new side to a 2-1 triumph.

“It’s quite incredible how it worked out for him,” Flitcroft told The Bolton News. “Bolton had their money troubles and the embargo, so Rob had to come in.

“I’m delighted he’s been able to get to that level, especially as he has gone to work with one of the best teachers in the world of football, Arsene Wenger.

“Rob was a student, a very intelligent kid, but a student of the game. I remember saying to him when he left us 'get yourself in, make sure you do your work through the summer. Make sure you get yourself strong so that when your chance comes you're ready.' And he's taken it with flying colours.”

Wanderers fans witnessed Holding’s transformation from the nervous youngster who came into a back three at Middlesbrough last August to the mature defensive presence who stood out a mile as the club slipped towards League One. So, it seems, did Arsenal.

Gunners supporters questioned Wenger’s logic in paying £2million up front for the 20-year-old, who had just 30 senior games under his belt by the time he headed for the Emirates.

It is believed the deal could more than double in size should Holding eventually help Arsenal to success or achieve full international status. A sell-on clause has also been included, which could benefit the Whites in future years.

Flitcroft appreciates Holding may have to be patient to get his Premier League chance but feels he has the right personality to listen and learn.

“You genuinely won't meet a nicer or more intelligent kid,” he said. “You can see by his elevation how quick a learner he must be.

“You want everyone you coach to be that quick learner, be a good student, and Wenger is one of the best teachers in the world, so if he listens, he’ll be fine.

“When Arsene interviewed him or got him down to the club, formally or informally, be probably saw that intelligence in Rob and that’s what convinced him to do the deal.

“I’m delighted for him, personally, and we’re delighted as a club too.”

Flitcroft had been instrumental in another England defender’s career, guiding Stones out of the youth team at Barnsley to a player who eventually moved on to stardom with Everton.

“John was a good learner,” he said. “I remember playing John as a centre-half then a wing-back. He's fabulous in either role.”

Bringing youth players through to the senior set-up is not an exact science, admits the Shakers boss, and cannot be rushed.

“John played for us at Barnsley at a young age but you have to be good enough to play,” he said. “Rob came into the Bolton team when they were struggling and you had a few others – Zach Clough, Niall Maher, Josh Vela, who were all from the same sort of age group.

“They have played games through necessity and it’s proved to be fantastic business for Bolton, probably by default.”

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Scored his first goal for Arsenal last night. They've robbed us blind IMO

Boggersbelief wrote:Scored his first goal for Arsenal last night. They've robbed us blind IMO

It depends on what we've got in place in terms of bonuses and sell on clauses. I'd like to think that Ken Anderson will get us a much better deal than Gartside ever did because of his background as an agent.
He has certainly started positively with a strong review from Wenger after the first game, the more he plays the more they pay hopefully.

Just pisses me off how youngsters from other clubs go for around 10 million and we get fuck all for one of the best young CB's in the country

Depends what bonus deals are in place, can't expect to get even £5 million up front for somebody so inexperienced. Hope he does prove to be one of the best in the country - Big Sam will need options.

I saw the game last night.  Holding was generally ok and scored his goal.  One or two mistakes but overall not bad for his first appearance. Commentators on the game didn't think he was a starter for Arsenal unless injuries require it. On the bright side Bolton was mentioned at least a dozen times during the commentary...that's somat at least.

Boggersbelief wrote:one of the best young CB's in the country

Laughable comment. He hasn't even played a good game for BWFC yet. You'd look good playing in a defence with Dervite and Moxey.

Natasha Whittam wrote:

Boggersbelief wrote:one of the best young CB's in the country

Laughable comment. He hasn't even played a good game for BWFC yet. You'd look good playing in a defence with Dervite and Moxey.

Get bent

Boggersbelief wrote:Get bent

Good comeback. It might win post of the year.

Boggersbelief wrote:

Natasha Whittam wrote:

Boggersbelief wrote:one of the best young CB's in the country

Laughable comment. He hasn't even played a good game for BWFC yet. You'd look good playing in a defence with Dervite and Moxey.

Get bent

Marcus or Darren, should that not be in the rumour section

Holding makes his premier league debut today.

Boggersbelief wrote:Holding makes his premier league debut today.

That's a few quid in the bank right there.

Yes, we get a bonus sooner than thought. Wonder how much?  Hopefully put towards the couple of players Parky wants

I think and have always thought he has quality, so did Southgate and Wenger yet somehow we've managed to lose him and for peanuts. Our scouting, assessment and player retention is shit. They couldn't spot quality if it sat on their face. Is Nat in charge?.

wanderlust wrote:I think and have always thought he has quality, so did Southgate and Wenger yet somehow we've managed to lose him and for peanuts. Our scouting, assessment and player retention is shit. They couldn't spot quality if it sat on their face. Is Nat in charge?.

How many times have you seen him in the flesh? Don't avoid the question, just tell me.

I've seen every game he's played at home and he was shit-to-average. Not once did I come away thinking 'Holden kept us in the game'. In fact, he cost us a couple.

I hope he does well, but I can't see it.

wanderlust wrote:I think and have always thought he has quality

Even when he flopped at bury?