Holland: Wickham Can Go to the Very Top
Friday, 19th Mar 2010 10:59

Former Blue Matt Holland has backed striker Connor Wickham to follow in the footsteps of Kieron Dyer, Darren Bent and Richard Wright and play for England. The ex-skipper spent time working with Wickham at Town’s academy last season.

Writing in his blog for the Football League’s website, Holland says Wickham has what it takes to go a long way in football: “He's got an incredibly large build, possesses a lovely touch on the ball and has two good feet. If he can prove that he's a natural goalscorer too, which I believe he will, then Connor is destined to go to the very top.

“If I had to compare him to someone it would be Dean Ashton perhaps, but at the age of 16 he's still got so much development to come that it's impossible to say how he will end up.

”So many England U16 stars fail to make the grade so it's wise to heed a little caution but I do suspect that Connor Wickham will be one that doesn't fall by the wayside.

“He's playing for a manager that's keen to nurture him and he's with a club that has a superb reputation at developing young players, so the odds are stacked in his favour. He also happens to have bundles of natural talent.

”I was speaking to Northampton Town manager Ian Sampson earlier this week and he was raving about the boy. He'd seen him score a hat-trick against his reserve team and said he was outstanding from start to finish. To be able to do that at his age marks him out as someone special that could be the real deal.

”Will he be a future England centre forward? I'd hate to put that kind of pressure on him but I wouldn't bet against it. He's right up there with the likes of Kieron Dyer, Richard Wright and Darren Bent who went on to play for England after starting life at Portman Road.”

Photo: Action Images

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Wallingford_Boy added 11:12 - Mar 19 I hope Connor has a slightly more successful England career than the rest of that list!!
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WeWereZombies added 11:47 - Mar 19

Yeah, but Darren Bent has been pretty successful at club level (and Kieron would have if Newcastle could be bothered to have a decent training pitch, RW's lack of success is all down to his own choice of moving on to Arsenal - he would probably have developed if he stayed at Town to win more caps - take note Connor, and as for those who belittle the Academy, duh).

stiffshorts added 12:02 - Mar 19 Oh well, as long as Matt says he's great then that's alright then!!
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itfc1981 added 12:31 - Mar 19 could have waited untill after his Birthday matty! d'oh
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WadzillaBhoy added 14:09 - Mar 19 When I first saw him couldn't believe he was only 16. Still can't believe it! Hope he stays with the town and becomes our 20 goal a season man.
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