Cameron Jerome’s performances are as valuable as goals to Norwich City, as far as James Maddison is concerned.
The striker is yet to get off the mark in the Championship this season, but his shift as lone front man in the stirring win at Middlesbrough still caught the eye – with Jerome’s relentless running playing its part in bringing home three points.
“I think a lot of people won’t realise what Cam does,” said Maddison. “I’m up there with him a lot of the time out of possession, and it’s just the sliding across.
“You see a lot of top strikers who have all the ability but not necessarily the work rate to do that. And Cam does that every game, week on week.
“He’s not getting the goals at the moment – but his performances are just as good as goals because they’re helping the team so much, so he deserves a lot of credit for that.”
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Goals are in short supply generally for City. A record fifth successive league clean sheet arrived at Riverside Stadium, while only four sides have scored fewer that City’s nine goals so far this season.
Indeed, their recent back-to-back goalless home draws is a first occurrence outside the top flight since 1921.
“It’s a special achievement just hearing those defensive numbers and Angus (Gunn), the defence – the club as a whole – should all be proud of that,” said Maddison.
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“It doesn’t matter if we win 1-0 every game, does it? You’d take that – three points every game.
“I saw Cam say in the press the goals will start coming. We’ve got a lot of talent in the attack. You look at the subs in midweek as well, with Wes Hoolahan and Nelson Oliveira.
“There are definitely goals in this team but at this present time, we are having to dig in. We’re getting a couple of early goals, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes.
“I’m sure there will be a lot of goals coming throughout the season. But at the minute, what a change!
“Since the Millwall game we’ve played a 4-2-3-1 instead of a 4-1-4-1 formation and it gives us that little bit of solidity.
“With Tom (Trybull) and Tetts (Alex Tettey), they are absolute warriors in there and Reedy (Harrison Reed) comes into that as well, where he can come in and do a job.
“So to have that solidity gives us, not a free role but a bit more licence to roam a little bit, because we have that solidity behind the ball. And it’s showing on the pitch.”
• For the latest Norwich City news and opinion follow Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey, Facebook @mbjourno and Instagram @mrmichaeljbailey
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