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Farke hails game-changer Roberts
Manchester City loan signing Patrick Roberts is yet to make his competitive bow for Norwich City Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Patrick Roberts must catch Daniel Farke’s eye in Norwich City’s League Cup trip to Crawley Town on Tuesday.
The Manchester City loanee looked the real deal in pre-season, but Todd Cantwell's impressive start to the Premier League campaign has kept him in the shade.
Farke is convinced Roberts will prove his top class pedigree with a first audition set to come against the League Two minnows.
"We totally believe in him or we would not have tried so hard to bring him in," said Farke.
"He is a brilliant lad who is full of potential. He is the type of player who can change a game because he has this ability that he can create something in a one against one situation.
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"He has already shown he can offer an end product on a different level up at Celtic, in front of a big crowd with the pressure and tension that brings.
"Okay, the last 18 months he has had some injuries and that is not easy for a player who needs confidence to get in that rhythm.
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"Patrick had a really good pre-season. I was pleased with him. He had a pretty difficult loan spell (in Spain) and maybe the demands we placed on him left him a bit tired, because we brought him to the pitch a lot in pre-season. He needed to play many minutes because he didn't play that much the season before, and he looked impressive.
"It was unlucky for him that in his position of the pitch we have Todd Cantwell shining, we have Emi Buendia, who is also there with two assists last weekend. There is lots of competition but Crawley is a chance for him to be involved."
Roberts consulted former Manchester City team mate and Norwich fan Angus Gunn before signing in the summer, and the Southampton keeper is a perfect role model for Farke.
"Angus had a brilliant season for us and is now playing at the top level, a top class keeper," he said. "It depends on the personality of the player and the willingness to accept they are in new surroundings for a year, but to go there with all your heart.
"With Patrick I feel that is not a problem. He is fully convinced this is the right place. Patrick was signed by a big club in Manchester City and it is not so easy to play for the first team there because of all the big names and competition.
"If they decide to loan him out it is because they trust in him as the future."
