- His previous likability and work ethic made the breakup feel personal.
- One message to Clement shattered the fantasy of our all-American hero.
- How the gaffer turned a squad crisis into a brilliant tactical turning-point.
With everything good that is going on with the Norwich team at the moment, it seems a little uncouth to even mention our once superstar striker. You know… that Josh Sargent.
But for me personally, I wanted to talk about the disillusionment I have felt since the infamous text where he expressed his desire to leave.
Like with any ex-partner it can be tempting to pretend that you never loved them anyway. But I can’t pretend that.
Team player
I think the reason why Sargent’s exit especially saddens me is that it clashes with the romantic image in my head. Even during the initial early games, where he was dismissed as an overpriced underachiever, I could see the work he was putting in.
For me, Sargent was a strange mix- on the one hand, his fuzzy ginger hair and “Aw shucks” demeanour contrasted with his desire to run hard and push.
He was like a Pokemon-evolved form of Superman’s pal Jimmy Olsen. When he started going on his hot streak I was happy, I was glad to see him get the reward he so richly deserved.
The breakup
That all changed with one text. When I heard on Radio Norfolk that Sargent had texted Phillipe Clement to say he “wasn’t available to play” I didn’t want it to be true. This was my cute American team figurehead.
Say it ain’t so, Josh!
Facts had to be faced. My fantasy was over. But then someone new came. He promised to not point out problems but find solutions.
He didn’t try to hide what Sargent said or placate him, and over time, galvanised a team that was on the verge of crashing and burning. That someone wasn’t even a player. It was our iconic gaffer, Philippe Clement.
Moving on
Sargent eventually got his way, moving on to Toronto and hopefully giving his family the chance to feel settled.
But out of it we got something better- The emergence of Jovon Makama, the signing of Mo Toure, the potential of Paris Maghoma, and Ali Ahmed adding an extra dimension on the wing. Somehow, this has been achieved despite 14 injuries to the squad.
History may prove kinder to Sargent. But at the moment the irony is his departure has been a turning point as the team has completely turned around and here’s hoping that our story has yet to reach the full happy ending.
We’ll always have Jarrolds.
