- Liam Gibbs played as a left winger in Norwich’s win over Derby County.
- Clement may make some changes to his Norwich team against Swansea.
- Errol Mundle-Smith’s attributes could make him the ideal option to start.
Liam Gibbs scored his first senior goal at Carrow Road for Norwich City in the 2-1 win over Derby County on Tuesday night.
Few were expecting him to line up on the left wing for the Canaries after he impressed at left-back against Bristol City last weekend, yet it resulted in his first home goal for the club.
Every team needs a versatile player like Gibbs in their squad because he can fill in and do a job wherever he is needed across the pitch.
Where Liam Gibbs should play against Swansea
The 23-year-old worked his socks off against the Rams and produced a brilliant finish for his goal, but his all-round play on the left wing was at the level that you would expect of a central midfielder in that role.
Gibbs lost the ball 16 times without creating a single chance for his teammates and only completed one of his three attempts to dribble past his marker.
Norwich often worked the ball into promising positions down his side of the pitch only for the attack to break down because he is not a natural wide player or attacker.
However, the English star should not be dropped to the bench. Instead, Philippe Clement should place him back in left-back, which is where he shone against Bristol City.
In the 2-1 win over Derby, Norwich looked exposed down the right as Jack Stacey lost 100% of his duels and it forced Vladan Kovacevic into a string of fine saves to secure the win.
Playing Kellen Fisher at right-back and Gibbs at left-back against the Swans would then allow Clement to play a more natural attacker down the left.
The Norwich star who should start on the wing
With Oscar Schwartau and Ali Ahmed ruled out for the final two matches, Errol Mundle-Smith should finally be given his chance to shine on the left flank.
The 20-year-old talent has made 12 appearances off the bench in the Championship this season, but he is yet to make his full debut for the Canaries.
Mundle-Smith scored 13 goals in 39 games for the club at U21 level, playing as a striker or as a winger, and he came so close to a first senior goal against the Rams.
The young forward raced away on the counter and worked room to take a shot on his weaker left foot, but Jacob Zetterström came out quickly to smother the effort.
Despite his failure to take that chance, Mundle-Smith’s cameo on the left wing on Tuesday night showed why he should be given an opportunity to shine from the start.
He has the pace and willingness to drive at opposition full-backs with the ball at his feet that Norwich have lacked too many times on the wing throughout the season.
Mundle-Smith is one of the players who could be sent out on loan next season, having been on the fringes of the squad this year, but two strong performances in the last two games could change that.
That is why Clement should provide the academy graduate with a chance to shine from the start on the flank against the Swans on Saturday.
