Hucks message for doubters

[Huckerbys right foot]

NORWICH CITY favourite Darren Huckerby has one simple answer for all the doubters: "I'm really not bothered!"

The flying City striker was up to all his old glorious tricks again in Saturday's 1-0 defeat by Real Mallorca after shrugging off his summer groin trouble to get 35 minutes of competitive action under his belt ahead of next Saturday's big Barclays Premiership kick-off against Crystal Palace.

Whether the 28-year-old can shrug off that lingering tag of being a Premiership under-achiever as the national media line up to mock Norwich's hopes of making any impact in the top flight this term is one of the key questions that only the next nine months will answer.

On the eve of battle, Huckerby himself – long since settled into his new Norfolk surroundings – is happy to let his performances do all the talking and was in no mood to rise to the knockers' bait.

"I'm not really bothered what people say – I'm past that stage now," said Huckerby, whose surging forward play – not to mention 14 goals – did so much to underpin City's Division One title drive last season.

"You know I've been around a long time now and I know that if I wasn't a half-decent player then I wouldn't be here now."

Likewise those who point an accusing finger at his top-flight goalscoring record – in particular for Manchester City or Leeds United – conveniently overlook the fact that Huckerby's game is about far more than simple strikes on goal.

He was City's assist king last season and, if only on the evidence of Saturday's run-out, he will be working overtime in the creative arts department again this season.

"I think it's unfair when people have a go at me at my goalscoring record – I'm not just a goalscorer. My game's about more than that," said Huckerby.

Indeed, he found both the time and space against the La Liga visitors on Saturday to almost enable Leon McKenzie to grab a 70th-minute leveller after Alejandro Campona's quickly-taken free-kick had given Real a 66th-minute lead.

Evidence that Huckerby is far more of a team-man than many ever give him credit for is not hard to come by – witness his message to the fans to remember the players that swept Norwich to the First Division title last season. Players that, following this summer's clutch of new arrivals, may struggle to command a first team place.

"There's going to four or five players who played all last year that look as if they won't get into the team and that's very tough on them. The supporters should remember what those players did for this football club," said Huckerby, as he looks forward to top-flight living – kicking off against Palace next Saturday.

"I'm looking forward to it," said the Canary striker, likely to partner Palace old-boy Mathias Svensson up front for the Eagles clash. "And as long as we all stick together, then we can achieve."

City boss Nigel Worthington was certainly delighted to have one of his principal strike weapons back in the first team fold – if only to give Huckerby the chance to link up with Arsenal starlet David Bentley down the left-hand side of Norwich's likely starting line-up.

"I thought he did well when you consider the last 45 minutes he had was against Yarmouth more than four weeks ago," said Worthington, convinced that Huckerby's excellent base fitness will serve him well after such a frustrating summer.

"He has missed a lot of football and he has missed a lot of full-time training, but he has worked really hard to keep himself in good shape and I was very pleased with some of the stuff he did when he came on. Now he needs to push on."

Youngster Ryan Jarvis was once again keeping Huckerby's place warm for him alongside the ever-willing Svensson. Once again the Fakenham teenager had the manager's praise ringing in his ears – alongside another eye-catching out from the hugely-gifted Bentley.

"I thought young Ryan Jarvis did very well, too. He had some very good runs and it took some good defending to keep him out," said Worthington, unmoved by the final scoreline – Norwich's one and only defeat of the summer.

"Overall I thought we worked hard and played some good football at times, but there were things to be learnt as well – retaining the ball for longer periods is a must and we found that out against a very good side today."



Source: Pink'Un


WELL IN HUCKS ..THE DOUBTERS PISS ME OFF..GIVE HIM A CHANCE..WORTHY CAN WORK MAGIC WITH PLAYERS AND I'M SURE HE'S MADE HUCKERBY MORE OF A BETTER PLAY

Well said Hucks, a simple F**K OFF would have worked too

[Worthy_is_King]

he also rubbished claims the reason he wasn't featuring in the preseason games til saturday was a fall out and that he wants to leave.

surprised the rumour got that far to be honest, cos i saw it being made up by a binner on Wotb.

had a look through the season review video and counted up the assists. Hucks had 17, well ahead of pocket (13) and the next highest was 5...holt mullers and henaldo