Scout Report – Brett Holman
Filed under: Scout Reports - Posted by: Paul
Brett Holman arrived at Aston Villa this summer on a Bosman deal from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, having signed a pre-contract to join the midlands outfit back in March during the reign of Alex McLeish. The 28-year-old midfielder was the first of three new faces to boost Paul Lambert’s squad, with Karim El Ahmadi and Matthew Lowton also added to the ranks in recent weeks:
Holman’s attacking threat is likely to add plenty menace to a side that struggled for goals last season under the defensive-minded McLeish and, while there are fears he may not feature in Lambert’s plans, the former Norwich boss has been quick to assure the Australian he will get a fair crack of the whip following the previous manager’s dismissal:
“If there is one lad who has probably got a bit of trepidation, then it would be Brett because it wasn’t me who brought him to the club. But I have spoken to him to reassure him and he will get a right fair chance. He did well at Alkmaar so I don’t have any worries about him on that score. As long as he works hard and tries to be successful, then he will be the same as everybody. He will get a chance.”
The Statistics
Holman’s career in his native country kicked off in the youth set-up at Northern Spirit before he was snapped up as a 17-year-old by Parramatta Power in the 2001-02 campaign. He managed five goals and a couple of assists in 13 first-team appearances before sealing a move to Feyenoord in 2002 but failed to feature for the Dutch giants – the following four seasons saw Holman farmed out on loan to SBV Excelsior where, over the course of 134 league appearances, he returned 39 goals and 23 assists.
The Australian’s impressive attacking displays saw him move to another Dutch club, NEC Nijmegen, where he produced 13 goals and six assists over 59 games before Louis Van Gaal signed him for AZ Alkmaar in the summer of 2008. Holman lasted four seasons at the club and also worked under Dick Advocaat, making a total of 96 league appearance and returning 15 goals and 20 assists. Last term was by far his most successful from an attacking perspective, with five goals and 11 assists earning him two prestigious accolades in his native country – Holman was voted Player of the Year by the Professional Footballers Australia and Football Media Association’s International Player of the Year.
The Prospects
The new manager’s propensity for attacking football should certainly boost Villa’s prospects going forward next season. Last term saw the midlands outfit register a mere 37 goals, the second lowest total in the Premier League and considerably less than Lambert’s Norwich; the Canaries netted 52 goals, a tally only beaten by the top six.
Certainly, Holman got off to the perfect start last weekend at Burton Albion. On as a second half sub, he grabbed the decider in a 2-1 victory to ensure Lambert kicked off his tenure as Villa boss with a win. Holman also started and completed an hour of last night’s 1-0 win over Philadelphia Union.
The Australian is able to play on either flank as well as a second striker and his adaptability could prove vital when assessing his potential game time for the season ahead. With Charles N’Zogbia likely to pick up the most investment from the Villa midfield as a result of renewed expectations, Holman should fly under the radar, though question marks hang over his ability to make an instant impact in his new surroundings.
From a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, N’Zogbia’s 6.5 valuation could well be a significant factor in how we assess Holman. The former Wigan man started last term at 7.5 and, while he failed to fire under McLeish, his proven returns at his previous club are likely to bring investment his way. At 6.0, Holman is just a tad cheaper, though his acquisition represents more of a gamble, given he’s a newcomer to the league. Intriguingly, the Sky Sports game have handed both an identical value of 5.7 in the mid-price bracket.
Looking at the fixture list, the midlanders have been afforded the perfect opportunity to banish the memory of last season from the off. Home clashes against Everton, Swansea and West Brom in the first six Gameweeks look prosperous and with trips to promoted pair West Ham and Southampton, Lambert’s side may well be quick out the blocks. If Holman can nail down a regular role, the Australian may very well be one to watch.
Further Reference
Brett Holman Wikipedia
Brett Holman Statistics
Brett Holman YouTube 2011/12 Highlights
About The Author
paul
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July 20 at 9:40 am
Jonny says:
Sorry to repost, but does anyone remember what the preferred CB pairing at Fulham was at the end of last season? Did Hughes get back in? Always thought it was strange to break up the Hangelaand-Hughes partnership…
July 20 at 9:45 am
heco87 says:
Hughes played 90 mins of the last 9 games – 2 clean sheets.
July 20 at 9:49 am
Simon1983 says:
I’ve got a Fulham season ticket and Hangeland played almost every game, but he paired up with Senderos when fit and occasionally Stephen Kelly. Senderos did look a decent CB when he played, though i’m not sure what his Opta stats are (i’ll probably have to sign up to that this season).
Alot of Fulham fans did find it odd that Senderos was picked ahead of Hughes, though Hughes did play and partner up more towards the end of last season
July 20 at 9:56 am
Jonny says:
Cheers guys…definitely got one eye on Hughes, potential bargain.
July 20 at 9:41 am
Chester FC! says:
Morning guys, RMT please.
Al-Habsi – Green
Terry – Lescott – Cuellar – Gibbs – Gallas
Noble – Hazard – Maloney – Taarabt – Ramires
Bent – Rooney – Tevez
Terry -> Vidic GW2, and probably Hazard -> Bale GW3, though I’m considering starting Bale and swapping Lescott for Cashley, then doing Cashley -> Lescott GW3 instead. Either way, I’m certain it won’t go to plan!
July 20 at 9:42 am
In Tommy We Trust says:
Gallas won’t start, Tevez is a risk, Gibbs will be injured
July 20 at 9:44 am
ronh says:
Crap keepers.
3 defenders might not be starters.
No assured midfielders.
Will Tevez start? Play 90?
July 20 at 9:59 am
Riddler says:
Like Ramires, though i’ve gone for Marin instead. Taarabt is too inconsistent I think, though he’ll be surrounded by better players this season so you never know.
Need Chelsea def cover for GW1, and Aguero – Southampton at home!? Kaboul > Gallas. Jenkinson > Gibbs, if you must. Bent’s a gamble, he might bag 25 this season but Villa might be sh1te again.
How’re Chester FC getting on, out of interest? Chester’s my hometown…
July 20 at 11:20 am
Chester FC! says:
Thanks guys, plenty of food for though there.
And Chester are doing great. 2 seasons & 2 promotions! Onwards and upwards, should be challenging for top spots this year too.
July 20 at 9:41 am
PDM Allstars FPL Top 1000 ANY Season 100-348 says:
Still can`t believe the buzz/frenzy after yesterdays grand launch of FPL ….
July 20 at 9:42 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
RMT!!!
Schwarzer.
A.Cole (C), Agger, Hangeland
Ben.Arfa, Toure.Y, Hazard (VC), Song, Nasri.
Suarez, Tevez.
cheers
July 20 at 9:48 am
Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad says:
Yaya and Song too def, Nasri and Tevez may not start, And i wouldnt double up in defense
July 20 at 9:50 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
song got a hell of a lot of assists last season (11) ans yaya’s bursts through are truly unstoppable.
I agree with tevez may be a risk but i think nasri will start often.
July 20 at 10:59 am
HelloSidney says:
Yaya’s not too defensive at all.
July 20 at 10:00 am
Riddler says:
Stick with Yaya…would get him in if I could afford. Nasri, not so sure. And yeah, a double Fulham defence is painful
July 20 at 10:08 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
cheerz
July 20 at 9:43 am
Complete Lack of Pies says:
Yep, I’m done I think. RMT?
De Gea / Federici
Cole / Lescott / Jenkinson / Figueroa / Ridgewell
Yaya Toure / Kagawa / Hazard / Dyer
Pogrebnyak / Adebayor / Torres
All assuming Ade goes to Tottenham. If not then then maybe Tevez or Cisse?
July 20 at 9:53 am
DLL18 says:
Your a player light, unless Yaya and Toure are now separate people
July 20 at 9:52 am
DLL18 says:
*You’re
July 20 at 9:43 am
Don Cortese says:
Excited that Saints have signed Paolo Gazzaniga (Not a comedy Italian name for Gazza!). He won’t be going straight in between the sticks but as Tommy Fourpast is going the otherway, still leaves us with only two senior ‘keepers. Whilst no one would be selecting Kelv given the opening fixtures, his position is still secure for now. Expect to see another GK coming in to challenge for the no.1. shirt.
July 20 at 9:44 am
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Damn the Chelsea-Reading blank so soon. Not enough time to get rid of players. This is gonna take some decent planning. Do it well and we could start the season with a massive headstart over the casuals.
July 20 at 9:45 am
Willis_Hide says:
That’s why you use your WC in GW 3.
July 20 at 9:46 am
EpicFAIL - AVFC <3 says:
Nah fook that. I’m saving mine for late in the season.
July 20 at 10:01 am
Riddler says:
+1
July 20 at 9:46 am
Jack(off) - Arsenal: The Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup winners of 2012. says:
4pt hit GW3 and you will be all good!
July 20 at 9:46 am
Brian (Not the messiah) says:
Is Hazard a sure starter or a rotation nightmare?
July 20 at 9:47 am
Willis_Hide says:
New post.
July 20 at 9:47 am
Optimus says:
morning all
anyone know what position rodwell plays in exactly and do ye reckon he will be a starter from the off?
July 20 at 10:05 am
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
He is likely to play at central midfield I think and go deeper while defednig. Much like Carrick, not a good fantasy prospect.
July 20 at 9:47 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
RMT!!!
Schwarzer.
A.Cole (C), Agger, Hangeland
Ben.Arfa, Toure.Y, Hazard (VC), Song, Nasri.
Suarez, Tevez.
cheerz
July 21 at 8:17 am
AxeMinion says:
I’m a Liverpool fan and am steering well clear of LFC until GW6. We can raise our game for the big teams, but until we know more it’s too risky IMO – much the same as the Tottenham defence issues.
But over the course of a season I think Suarez will be awesome.
July 20 at 9:50 am
ronh says:
# Name Club Goals Matches Strike Rate
1 Papiss Cisse Newcastle United 13 14 1.08
2 Wayne Rooney Manchester United 27 34 1.26
3 Robin van Persie Arsenal 30 38 1.27
4 Sergio Aguero Manchester City 23 34 1.48
5 Aiyegbeni Yakubu Blackburn 17 30 1.76
6 Mario Balotelli Manchester City 13 23 1.77
July 20 at 9:52 am
djaphex says:
can i pick unlimited changes until of start ?
July 20 at 9:54 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
yeah until the first gameweek
July 20 at 9:57 am
ChristIna says:
You need to play WC.
July 20 at 9:58 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
you dont!!
July 20 at 10:02 am
Namtab Notlob says:
Yep, those of us who planned ahead saved an extra transfer from last season.
July 20 at 10:04 am
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Well played
July 20 at 9:59 am
Coldplay - Krohn-Delhi A True Legend says:
Morning guys. I am unsure about that third striker spot and thinking of going with Petric. Who is the most famous third striker of people on here?
July 20 at 10:10 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
Nasri or Sinclair
July 20 at 11:12 am
...al - The Scammer says:
neither, but sincl and to yer reply below, both imo
can’t turn down hang for 5.0
July 20 at 10:14 am
Obi One Kenobi Nil says:
Hangeland OR Lescott???
July 20 at 12:45 pm
The Mighty One says:
BOTH. Both will be strong and better value.
July 20 at 11:09 am
Scraftius Maximus says:
Your advice would be much appreciated, best 4.5 midfielder?
Also how many games can you see Nasri start this season particularly early on?
Currently my team is: DDG
Vertonghen Tomkins Ivanovic
McCarthy Noble Kagawa Nasri
Torres Tevez Rooney
Suggestions? Not sure about Nasri and Tevez, thanks.
July 20 at 11:11 am
...al - The Scammer says:
I like frei for 4.5 but if he plays i’m not sure there isn’t much for that price apart from guthrie
July 20 at 11:24 am
Spoox777 says:
Which 2 from these 3 defenders would you pick & why?
Rafael or Koscielny or Kaboul
July 20 at 11:47 am
Spoox777 says:
Also Vertonghen or Cashley
July 20 at 11:48 am
kingbails says:
Hi all. First RMT, appreciate any thoughts..
de Gea (Federici)
Clichy, Demel, Cole A, Hangeland, (Cuellar)
Valencia, Yaya Toure, Britton, Hazard (Pienaar)
Pogrebnyak, Ba, Aguero
July 20 at 11:49 am
kingbails says:
+ 2 potatoes in the bank for the Poggy switch if need be
July 21 at 7:20 pm
DanielExeter says:
RMT – 352
DDG (Begovic)
A.Cole, Baines, Lescott (Fabio)
Hazard, Yaya, Kagawa, Wilshire, Sessegnon (Park Ji Sung)
Rooney, Aguero (Jelavic)
Appreciate any thoughts?