Dublin returns to help Youth Cup quest
Paddy Davitt Norwich City legend Dion Dublin could be the youth team's secret weapon ahead of their quarter-final tie at Manchester City.Dublin spent a day with Ricky Martin's squad earlier this week at the Canaries' Colney training ground to help fine tune the club's game plan ahead of meeting the holders.
Paddy Davitt
Norwich City legend Dion Dublin could be the youth team's secret weapon ahead of their quarter-final tie at Manchester City.
Dublin spent a day with Ricky Martin's squad earlier this week at the Canaries' Colney training ground to help fine tune the club's game plan ahead of meeting the holders.
“It was strange coming back, but nice at the same time,” said Dublin (below). “It was strange because it was really quiet and the first team were away at QPR, but I managed to catch up with a few of the staff members. It was really nice to come back, it felt just like home and as if I'd never been away.
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“I really enjoyed it, all the boys seemed to fully absorb what they were hearing and they took it all on board. The boys were really intense, which was really great to see - their application to the training session was some of the best I've ever seen from young footballers. Whether that was something to do with me being there, I don't know and it doesn't really matter - I was just very impressed with what I saw.”
Martin hopes Dublin's presence was a major boost to his young squad.
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“I think he could give us a little edge,” he said. “It was an opportunity for the boys to work with a legend in the game. He said he'd always been available to come in for a day to train and give the boys a motivational talk and we brought him in because he is a winner and we need 11 winners out there on Saturday.”
Keeper Declan Rudd - City's spot kick hero from previous rounds - admitted Dublin's visit had the desired impact.
“It was brilliant to have someone like Dion come in,” he said. “Dion is not just a Norwich legend but a football legend and he inspired a lot of our players.
“To be honest after the day we had with him we just wanted the game to be that night - we were buzzing.
“This is what everyone works for; to play in the big occasions. I think this is the most important game of my career and I'm probably more excited playing this one than anyone other game because of what is at stake and the prize for the next round.”
