Worthy pleased with strikers' efforts

CHRIS WISE Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington paid tribute to his strikers as they maintained their excellent scoring streaks at Carrow Road.

CHRIS WISE

Norwich City manager Nigel Worthington paid tribute to his strikers as they maintained their excellent scoring streaks at Carrow Road.

Robert Earnshaw took his goal tally on home soil to four in six appearances with a well taken first half strike against Leicester, while McKenzie tucked home a late penalty to make it three in three since returning from injury.

Worthington was impressed with Earnshaw's finish and reckons he will improve on an already respectable goal record if he continues to receive passes like the one Youssef Safri conjured up on Saturday.

Worthington was also delighted with his strike partner's contribution to the cause as he bounced back from two bad misses at Burnley the previous week to score in a highly pressurised situation.

“I am glad the two strikers scored again - it will do them good,” he said.

“It was a great finish by Rob and a lovely through ball from Youssef. That's what we have got to be looking to do on a regular basis for the little man.

“He is proven at this level - and thrives on service like that. It gives him a chance and it gives us a chance and we have got to be looking to do that more often.

“As for Leon, I thought the character he showed to go and pick up the ball for the penalty was first class.

“As I have always said since I have been here it's down to whoever fancies it, whoever is on form. I think there were three candidates in Huckerby, Earnshaw and McKenzie. It was a question of who wanted it, who had the confidence, and Leon grabbed the ball and stuck it away.

“That's life as a striker, you'll miss some, you'll score some. The one thing I can say about Leon is that he will always stand up to be counted.”

Worthington was also pleased with the form of keeper Robert Green who made a couple of good stops to keep Leicester out in front of the watching England goalkeeping coach Ray Clemence.

“Robert made a massive save in the first half when their lad (Matty Fryatt) got to the byline,” he said. “To have an awareness of where he was at, even though he was on the ground, and still be able to follow the ball was first class.

“He made another good save near the end - and that was pure reaction.

“I am sure that if he stays fit, and maintains his form, Robert will be one of England's three keepers in the World Cup. I hope he does go to Germany, because he deserves it.”