Norwich City column: Josh Sargent’s impact for Canaries makes him the best striker in the Championship
For a columnist, I'm not particularly famed for my outlandish opinions but how's this one for size: Josh Sargent is the best striker in the Championship.
City's number nine scored a brace in last Saturday’s 5-1 win against Swansea - his first start since October due to injury.
It certainly wasn’t a complete performance but the difference the 24-year-old makes is irrefutable.
I have no doubt that had Sargent stayed on the pitch, he would have gone on to complete his hat-trick as the Swans capitulated.
The narrative for this season is still yet to fully unfold but one statement is true. Had Sargent not been injured, we would be significantly closer to gatecrashing the play-off party for a second year in a row.
As it is, we remain outsiders in the race, marooned in 11th, five points behind West Brom and Middlesbrough in fifth and six respectively.
Sandwiched between in the battle are a Watford side, struggling for consistency of late. For that reason, this weekend’s trip to Vicarage Road almost feels must win.
Across social media all week has been Sargent’s exquisite brace against the Hornets from our most recent Premier League campaign, his first goals for the club.
For a player so out of form, who could have anticipated the scorpion kick and towering header that we have now become accustom to.
Crazy to say, but arguably the last truly special away day we have experienced as City fans.
I think about how much the USA international has grown over the last four years - and hope dearly, that after a couple of injury hit seasons, he can find consistent fitness and continue to develop into the player he has the potential to become.
I have absolutely no doubt he is capable of scoring goals at a higher level, let’s just hope it is in yellow and green.
Welcome back Sarge! It’s over to you to spearhead an unlikely play-off charge.