John 0 Posted January 20, 2010 My respect for John Hartson, after all his recent struggles, is massive. In his best days as a football player he was of course a force to be reckoned, and as a person i have no doubt he''s just as great, and more than worthy of ones admiration.However this latest article on the pink ''un that i''ve just come across is truly a delight to read. My first time ever reading a press report of which i can''t deny shedding a tear from my eye for the man, and it really makes you wonder what ''could of been'' had he of found himself at City during an earlier part of his career, and in truth... It''s a little sad that he didn''t.He may of only been here for a very short time (and at that not an entirely successful one), but as a City fan, and as a football fan, i''ll certainly never forget this man.Good luck for your future John Hartson, and i''m sure we''d all welcome you into our city with open arms, in whatever capacity you should happen to arrive in, as visitor, spectator, coach, or even ''manager''.[Y]http://www.pinkun.com/content/pinkun/norwich-city/story.aspx?brand=PINKUNOnline&category=Norwich&tBrand=PINKUNOnline&tCategory=xDefault&itemid=NOED20%20Jan%202010%2010%3A00%3A32%3A680-------------Hartson tips Lambert for the big time CHRIS LAKEYLast updated: 20/01/2010 10:00:00John Hartson is backing old pal Paul Lambert to reach the very top ofthe management game - but admits that City''s gain could ultimatelyprove to be their biggest loss.Hartson- currently recovering from life-threatening cancer - played withLambert for five years at Scottish giants Celtic and said it was clearthat his skipper had set his sights on a career in management wellbefore retirement.Lambert''s success at City, who he has takeninto the second automatic place in League One, comes as no surprise,but Hartson believes the problem for City now is to keep hold of theirbiggest asset.“It''s unfortunate, but the big boys will comesniffing around if he takes them back up,” said Hartson. “The hope isthat if Norwich get into the Championship then they are the big boysonce again and are just one season away from the Premier League. Ifthey can help with a little bit of investment then maybe they can keephold of Lambo. But if he keeps on going the way he is going now, then,yes, they will start calling. I certainly see him managing at thehighest level.”Hartson spotted Lambert''s ambitions long ago.“Ilived on the same estate in Glasgow as him for five years so we becamegood mates,” he said. “He was my captain and he was a wonderful playerwho performed at the very highest level. “He won the EuropeanCup with Borussia Dortmund and is very knowledgeable about Europeanfootball and I believe he did all his work for his coaching badges inGermany.“He was thinking about getting into management when hewas in his early 30s and while it has taken spells at Livingston andWycombe and Colchester to get going, he has found a fabulous club nowand is clearly enjoying it.“He seems to have galvanised theteam and is doing exceptionally well - but he will be fully aware thatthe job is far from done yet. Having got the team up there and pushingLeeds he has tasted what it''s like and he will want the team to keeppushing on and on.“Lambo knows there will be a sticky patchsomewhere so he will want to get as many points in the bag as possibleso that when it does come it doesn''t hurt as much.”That''s whenthe first problems will come should Lambert - who was heavily linkedwith the Burnley job before Brian Laws was appointed - be courted byothers.But Hartson believes Lambert could be tempted to staynot just by the club''s ambitions, but because of the attraction ofliving in the county of Norfolk. Hartson should know: he spent a monthon loan at City under caretaker boss Jim Duffy in October, 2007, andadmits he fell in love with the place.“I was way past my bestwhen I went to Norwich and I was only really doing West Brom a favourbecause I was on good money and I was just playing in the reserves,” hesaid. “I struggled, there was a lot of driving and that, but it was aterrific place, wonderful. The people were great, it is a lovely city.I had a couple of nights out and played some golf, my family came upand we really enjoyed it.“I wish I''d been there a few yearsearlier when I was a lot fitter because I would have stayed. I had agood career, but Norwich is probably the only place where I didn''tperform, which I regret.“But it''s such a great place it may bethat Paul will decide to stay around, to live there and bring hisfamily down. I loved the place - maybe he will feel the same.”Hartson,34, faces more surgery on his lungs and his brain to ensure he iscompletely clear of the cancer which was diagnosed last July - butintends following his old pal down the managerial path when he isstronger.“I''ve had a few offers since I retired, but I''m notquite ready yet to go out on the training pitch and do the job 24/7,”he said. “That''s the only way I would want to do it.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted January 20, 2010 I''m sorry but he was just another washed up has been that suckled at the Norwich City tit.Whilst I can have sympathy for his health situation, he was embarrassing for us, how they got a shirt to fit him god alone knows.Welcome back? For me, no. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gingerpele 0 Posted January 20, 2010 He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him....He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run.He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin...anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="Gingerpele"]He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him....He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run.He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin...anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him.[/quote]The games I saw him play he was embarrassingly unfit and overweight. I was honestly cringing on the guys behalf. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
William Darby 0 Posted January 20, 2010 I think if he weren''t so ill. He''d be the useless fat bastard we wasted money on. I could go back years naming players who nearly scored. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Attleborough_Canary 64 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="morty"][quote user="Gingerpele"]He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him.... He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run. He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin... anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him.[/quote]The games I saw him play he was embarrassingly unfit and overweight. I was honestly cringing on the guys behalf.[/quote]You do realise he had cancer whilst playing for Norwich don''t you? I have to say that I would think it doesn''t do much for physical fitness! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="Attleborough_Canary"][quote user="morty"][quote user="Gingerpele"]He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him.... He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run. He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin... anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him.[/quote]The games I saw him play he was embarrassingly unfit and overweight. I was honestly cringing on the guys behalf.[/quote]You do realise he had cancer whilst playing for Norwich don''t you? I have to say that I would think it doesn''t do much for physical fitness![/quote]Whilst I am sorry for his health problems, I care more about Norwich city than I care about John Hartson.The previous poster who said that if it wasn''t for his cancer then he would be just another fat waster who failed for us hit the nail on the head.I think people are letting sympathy get in the way of what actually happened. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted January 20, 2010 Oh and if he wasn''t fit enough he shouldn''t have been here in the first place! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beauseant 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="morty"][quote user="Gingerpele"]He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him.... He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run. He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin... anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him.[/quote]The games I saw him play he was embarrassingly unfit and overweight. I was honestly cringing on the guys behalf.[/quote] In fairness he looked like an athlete compared to Jan Molby in his loan spell. Chippy reckons he was the fattest bloke he''d ever seen in a pro dressing room! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Attleborough_Canary 64 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="morty"]Oh and if he wasn''t fit enough he shouldn''t have been here in the first place![/quote]And whose responsibility was it to ensure that someone coming into the club was fit enough? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
morty 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="Beauseant"][quote user="morty"][quote user="Gingerpele"]He wasn''t an embarrassment for us, i don''t think anyone actually watched him.... He was very unlucky not to score, if he had of done, he would have probably got on a little run. He always won the ball in the air, he held it up really well, he even ran with it a couple of times, i think its a shame he didn''t get that form, and finish his career here on a high, llike Dublin... anyway, hope he recovers fully, good luck to him.[/quote]The games I saw him play he was embarrassingly unfit and overweight. I was honestly cringing on the guys behalf.[/quote] In fairness he looked like an athlete compared to Jan Molby in his loan spell. Chippy reckons he was the fattest bloke he''d ever seen in a pro dressing room![/quote]Lol, in all fairness also, even in his prime Molby was hardly ever a racing snake!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shaun Tilly Lace 0 Posted January 20, 2010 Well I enjoyed reading John''s kind words about Norwich, the surrounding area and its football club, anyway. Despite his obvious lack of fitness and poor condition physically, John still displayed an excellent first touch, a good sense of positioning on the field and some neat flicks. If he''d been fit he would have been awesome. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jew 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="Big Bad John"]“I was way past my best when I went to Norwich and I was only really doing West Brom a favour because I was on good money and I was just playing in the reserves,” Yeah, cheers John. "I had a couple of nights out and played some golf, my family came up and we really enjoyed it."Oh thats nice, a nice holiday for you.[/quote]All due respect to the man but i fail to get tearful reading about the Hartson familys Norfolk holiday Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GJP 79 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="Big Bad John"]“I wish I''d been there a few years earlier when I was a lot fitter because I would have stayed. I had a good career, but Norwich is probably the only place where I didn''t perform, which I regret.[/quote]I wish he''d been here earlier as well.Despite his lack of fitness there were times when he did play for us that his ability showed and you could tell he was a good footballer.Seems a very honest guy who always speaks well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Foxy is a Pleasure 0 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="GJP"][quote user="Big Bad John"]“I wish I''d been there a few years earlier when I was a lot fitter because I would have stayed. I had a good career, but Norwich is probably the only place where I didn''t perform, which I regret.[/quote]I wish he''d been here earlier as well.Despite his lack of fitness there were times when he did play for us that his ability showed and you could tell he was a good footballer.Seems a very honest guy who always speaks well.[/quote]He showed brief moments of quality when he was here. I remember him changing the game when we were bottom of the league and 2-0 down at home to the scum. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nexus_Canary 1,013 Posted January 20, 2010 [quote user="morty"]I''m sorry but he was just another washed up has been that suckled at the Norwich City tit.Whilst I can have sympathy for his health situation, he was embarrassing for us, how they got a shirt to fit him god alone knows.Welcome back? For me, no.[/quote]He was a beast in the Binner derby.Had the Defence and GK pooing themselves, he was just chatting sh*t at them the whole time un-nerving them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nexus_Canary 1,013 Posted January 20, 2010 as pointed out by the last poster on page 1.He changed the game when he came on. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yossarian 0 Posted January 20, 2010 Goodness that brings back memories (although mamaries could be equally applicable) - Carra Rud , 14,000 crowd , poisonous atmosphere a la fat bob , can''t remember the opposition , sometime mid/late 90''s. Jan Molbys city debut. He was soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo fat that you could see if he was an innie or an outey through his shirt. and these shirts weren''t your modern tight stretchy types. and a splendid pair of man boobs also. johnny hartson was pure herion chic in comparison. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yossarian 0 Posted January 20, 2010 and i did mean herion. its a new drug i just invented Share this post Link to post Share on other sites