Josh Sargent retained his place in Norwich City’s starting lineup on Friday night and rewarded manager Dean Smith in a big way.
Sargent started at Carrow Road and registered his first league brace of the EFL Championship season in a 2-0 victory over Millwall. It was Sargent’s second-consecutive match with a goal as he once again stepped in for star striker Teemu Pukki.
“I’ve said before Sarge is a good player,” Smith said about Sargent post match. “He works extremely hard and he went and earned that chance for himself. He put them under pressure right from kick-off in the first half, charging them down.
“That’s what you need and it’s good because he can go down both channels and what great competition it is for Teemu now,” he added. “It’s really pleasing for us as a football club that we’ve got good players within the squad and some not even playing or even on the bench.”
After a scoreless first half, Sargent broke the deadlock in the 50th minute, receiving a pass from Daniel Sinani before nestling a right-footed shot into the top-right corner. It was Sargent’s fourth-career league goal for Norwich City between his time in the English Premier League and Championship.
Norwich City continued to pile on pressure as the second-half went on and Sargent iced the result with his second goal of the match. A counter attack from the hosts eventually led to Kieran Dowell’s pass to Sargent just inside the Millwall box, before the American striker curled his right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.
Sargent’s night finished in the 85th minute, drawing a match-high five fouls, registering three shots on goal, and completing one dribble. It was a Man of the Match performance from Sargent, who finished Friday’s match as joint top scorer in the Championship.
“I’m very happy with the week, two great results for us and two great games with goals from me, so I’m feeling pretty great right now,” Sargent said. “I think any striker would tell you it feels good when you’re scoring goals, so I’m full of confidence right now.
“It feels good to be playing striker again and I’ve definitely taken my opportunity when I’ve been given it and hopefully I can keep scoring goals,” he added.
Norwich City next hosts AFC Bournemouth in Tuesday’s EFL Cup showdown before visiting Sunderland and Birmingham City respectively in league action.
Sargent’s confidence is growing. These goals were well worked where Josh contributed in the buildup before slotting home his shot. That’s an important trait for a CF as it shows his ability to link up with others and retain possession in the final 3rd. We’ve also seen him score different types of goals (header last match, linkup in the clip above). This bodes well for him heading into the final prep window.
Things are going to be interesting down the stretch….
Sargent is heating up. Ferreirra holding steady. Pefolk stepped up a level and still knocking in goals. Dike injured again. Pepi sliding down due to lack of minutes.
And a MLS Darkhorse Vazquez pushing into the conversation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1plZuL1s6UA
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3 goals in 2 consecutive games…..right after Dean Smith says he deserves the spot. Awesome. I’m starting to believe Sargent’s hardship comes from 1) Lack of service / willingness of certain players to assist up top 2) Lack of support from certain Norwich midfielders (Sorensen, McLean) and 3) when Pukki and Rashica are on the field. Gibbs and Nunez in the midfield and Sinani up top on the wing seems to be the solution for Sargent scoring goals. You see the the service, selfless teamwork and support. Even when Norwich was in the EPL Sargent never got good assists from Milot Rashica or Teemu Pukki as they always went for glory themselves.
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Keep them coming Kid!!!!!
Not to downgrade his new found success, but part of the difference may be due to the fact that the opposition he is scoring against is a level below what he faced last season.
“Gibbs and Nunez in the midfield and Sinani up top on the wing seems to be the solution for Sargent scoring goals. You see the the service, selfless teamwork and support. Even when Norwich was in the EPL Sargent never got good assists from Milot Rashica or Teemu Pukki as they always went for glory themselves.”
I agree with your observations but what makes you think Josh is going to get any better service with the USMNT? No matter who plays the #9 for the USMNT, he doesn’t usually get an awful lot of support or service.
These were no tap-ins. He played a big part in setting up both goals. That’s not a skill every striker brings to the table.
..and right now we really need a hot #9. If this trend and MLS trends continue, Sargent gets a look with Fererra and Vazquez next month. I’m sure all of us a year ago had Pepi circled in that spot, maybe Hoppe or Dike with an outside chance. Interesting to follow…
Don’t forget Pefok who is killing it right now. How in the world do you choose….it’s just going to be whoever has the best October I guess.
I felt Pefok needed to move, and view the Bundesliga as the next step up for a player of his caliber. What Pefok lacked was the tangibles such as transition, pressing defenders and hold-up play, skills that Pepi, Fererra, and in fact Sargent possess, and Berhalter covets. He wasn’t growing his game in the Swiss League, and hopefully Union Berlin changes that. If so, he should get a call.
I think Ebobissee should be considered, too, because he keeps scoring for a pretty bad team. I think he is only 1 goal behind Ferrerra.
Keep it going Sarge!
I watched 1st half of EPB and Troyes and 2nd half of Norwich City and Josh. He did great this game, in that middle forward num 9 position; we are searching for.
He rarely got good looks with Werder Bremen, as they rarely had much possession. Norwich was overmatched in the EPL, and he was stuck on the wing, and mostly tracked back to defend. Now in the Championship playing in the middle, it’s 3 goals in 2 games. Right now, that’s his level, probably par with Morris or Dike. Let’s see if it continues.
Well, hello.
Still remains to be seen if this form is permanent but you’ve gotta think this at least gets Sargent a look for September.
You would think so. Nice goals, too.