On the eve of City's crunch derby clash with relegation strugglers Colchester United, boss Glenn Roeder has backed new loan signing Maceo Rigters to announce his arrival in Norfolk by scoring the goals that will keep the Canaries in the Championship.
And having only netted twice in their last five games, boy do they need goals. Fast.
In truth, the forward line has needed freshening up for a while and whilst Dion Dublin, Jamie Cureton and Ched Evans have not done much wrong individually, the arrival of the Dutch Under-21 star from Blackburn is a welcome boost ahead of such a vital encounter with the seemingly doomed U's.
It seems pretty clear what he will bring to the party ? power and pace; and plenty of it ? and with the former NEC Breda man champing at the bit after making only two Premier League appearances for Rovers this season, it would be a surprise not to see him take his place in the starting XI this weekend.
And Roeder is hoping his new capture – referred to as 'Mace' by the City boss – can provide the spark the Canaries need as they look to record a win which could go some way to securing their survival after the most topsy-turvy season in recent memory.
“He is a powerful lad and he is technically gifted as 90 per cent of Dutch players tend to be,” said Roeder at yesterday's unveiling of Rigters.
“He has a lot of pace and he can score goals as he demonstrated in the Under-21 Championships.
“We certainly looked at him in the summer but the opportunity to go to a Premiership club was a massive attraction.
“For whatever reasons he probably hasn't been given the opportunity that he wanted. He is desperate to play football, which is always a good sign.
“We were delighted to bring him to Norwich and we have beat off quite a few Championship clubs who wanted to provide him with the same opportunity.”
If all goes to plan, this temporary arrangement should suit all parties. Rigters scores the goals that keep City up and Roeder and City's loyal army of fans end the season smiling like the proverbial Cheshire cat.
In turn, Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has a hungry, revitalised player at his disposal come the start of pre-season training.
But it seems the former Manchester United legend made Roeder play a waiting game after the Canary boss made an initial enquiry about the Dutch star “a few weeks ago”.
But that is what sets Roeder apart from the rest, more often than not, he gets his man. And let's hope this man has been worth waiting for?
“It certainly hasn't been easy,” added the Canary chief. “I've been on the lookout for the last couple of weeks trying to find a striker.
“A few weeks ago Mark wasn't interested in allowing him to come out and play at another club.
“He has always been in and around the first team squad there. I think over the last few days with the season running out he thought it would be good to get Mace out to get some first-team football at a decent club.
“He has come to an excellent club and with due respect our home crowds are bigger than Blackburn so we're going to have the sort of atmosphere than can get the best out of him.
“This is a chance for him to impress and when he goes back to Blackburn for the start of next season.
“Mark will at least know he has played some first team football and scored some goals. He will then be challenging for a place I guess at Blackburn.”
Amidst the excitement of the Canaries' high profile capture however, Roeder was keen to sound a note of caution. With Rigters having only two Premier League appearances under his belt, there is going to be a degree of ring-rustiness.
We'll see just how much in the coming weeks but whilst the City boss is not expecting miracles, he will be hoping that the adrenalin can get him through.
Score a hat-trick this weekend Maceo, and 25,000 Canary fans won't give a jot how match fit you are.
“I'm looking forward to seeing him train. We mustn't expect him to be 100 per cent match fit because he obviously isn't going to be.
“No-one would be as he hasn't played a lot of first team football recently. But he's very young and he's got natural qualities and he will be highly motivated for the six weeks he is here.
“You don't often get an opportunity to sign a player with his pedigree. We are as big as anyone in the Championship but you don't often get an opportunity to bring a player of Mace's background to a club that's in this division. I think this is the right move for him with six weeks to go.”
Let's hope you are right Glenn?
Tom Haylett
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