‘Sensational’ Norwich City player backed for Championship accolade, it ‘cannot be overstated how good’ he is

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Norwich City’s play-off hopes are all but over following their 2-1 defeat to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, with Josh Sargent’s consolation all they had to show for at Home Park.

The Canaries are on course for unwanted Championship records which have held Norwich back this season from being serious promotion contenders. The play-off race looked like it may get exciting for Norwich, but that has not transpired.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
7	CoventryCoventry	40	17	8	15	57	53	4	59
8	West BromWest Brom	40	13	18	9	48	36	12	57
9	MillwallMillwall	40	14	12	14	39	41	-2	54
10	WatfordWatford	40	15	8	17	48	53	-5	53
11	NorwichNorwich	40	13	13	14	62	56	6	52
12	BlackburnBlackburn	40	15	7	18	42	43	-1	52
13	Sheffield WednesdaySheffield Wednesday	40	14	10	16	54	61	-7	52
14	PrestonPreston	40	10	18	12	40	47	-7	48
15	SwanseaSwansea	40	13	9	18	41	51	-10	48

Norwich have never been inside the play-offs, with their highest league position of seventh popping up at various points in the campaign. For the most part, they have spent it between eighth and 13th in comfortable mid-table.

There are still positives for Johannes Hoff Thorup to take this season, with Norwich likely to finish as the second-highest scorers behind Leeds United. They are just ahead of Middlesbrough in terms of goals this term.

• READ MORE: Norwich City tipped to grab bargain signing of the summer, but Championship rivals are ‘keeping tabs’

Ali Maxwell backs Norwich City’s Josh Sargent for Golden Boot

In some ways, it’s a case of what could have been for Norwich. Fans of other clubs disagree about Sargent, but he is the best striker in the Championship for most and firmly in contention for the Golden Boot after his wonder strike against Plymouth on Saturday.

Had he stayed fit, they would almost certainly be better off. EFL experts Ali Maxwell and George Elek of the Not The Top 20 podcast have had their say on that race, but particularly in Josh Sargent. We also have had our say recently on the ‘boring’ event regarding top scorers, and as have they.

Maxwell said: “Absolutely incredible first touch with his left foot that set himself up for a volley which he thumped in [against Plymouth].

“But not enough for Norwich. On Sargent — God, I really love Josh Sargent. I think he’s such a fantastic striker.

“I noticed that, non-penalty goals plus assists per 90, he led the Championship last season — 0.88 per 90, he leads the Championship again this season — 0.78 per 90.

“It cannot be overstated how good Josh Sargent is and how much he offers this Norwich side.

“Let’s be honest about this, it’s been an absolutely honking Championship golden boot race. One of the worst that I can remember up to this point.

“I absolutely love Sargent. His goal on the weekend was sensational. His goal the weekend before was magnificent. He’s got 10 goals in his last 11 starts in the Championship.”

He added: “For me, he’s the best striker in the division. And, frankly, I’d like to see that reflected in the golden boot. His goals have been sensational but it’s more than just that.

“His all-round play and his creative instincts as well that are so impressive. If I was Haji Wright or if I was Josh Sargent — well, they’d be locked in a titanic battle for the golden boot — if not for missing 19 games in Wright’s case, 14 in Sargent’s.

“I just think, George, I kind of want to finish off on more of a positive than I started. The raw numbers, the goals numbers, and this golden boot race I might think of as being absolutely honking.

“But I actually think there are a few pretty good goalscorers who — with a bit more luck, and a fair wind, and avoiding injury  — we might have had a more exciting race at the top.”

• READ MORE: Championship play-off dates, fixtures, and teams in Premier League promotion mix

Life without Josh Sargent set to become reality for Norwich City

Without Sargent, Norwich could be in a spot of bother. With him more often, they could well have broken into the top six this season. An EFL Analysis exclusive outlined that Sargent’s departure could be a reality soon for Norwich.

In terms of potential replacements, Wycombe Wanderers’ Richard Kone has been linked, as has Notts County’s Alassana Jatta. Norwich will also fear losing Borja Sainz, given that he is Premier League quality as well.

Both of them are among the best Championship players in 2024/25. After Gabriel Sara and Jon Rowe’s departure last summer, they will not want a rebuild again. However, it is likely to be on the cards as Sargent becomes a highly-coveted player.