With plenty of comings and goings at Carrow Road during a very hectic summer in Norfolk, it would be easy to forget about two contracted City players currently plying their trade at crisis-club Luton Town.
But, according to BBC Three Counties Radio presenter Ian Pearce, Canary Academy products Chris Martin and Michael Spillane, along with the released Rossi Jarvis, are acclimatising to life in Bedfordshire very well indeed.
In the words of Pearce, “the three Norwich lads are the ever-presents in a constantly changing side.” There can be no doubt whatsoever that being thrown into the deep end of English football's bottom tier will not be doing them any harm whatsoever.
Despite the Hatters perilous state, after they were docked a whopping 30 points at the start of the season for financial irregularities, Messrs Martin and Spillane – who are on a season-long loan – seem to have settled very quickly at Kenilworth Road.
“It's not really the place for youngsters to be honest because heads could drop, especially as we haven't really made an impact to the deficit we've got,” said Pearce.
“We've lost too many and drawn too many. But the Norwich lads have done really well.”
And Martin, in particular, has caught Pearce's eye?
“Chris Martin has started to get in amongst the goals but it's been difficult for him because Sam Parkin, who is the first choice strike partner for him, has been injured.
“On a few occasions, Martin has played as a lone striker, but he's done quite well and he keeps getting better.
“It's a bit chop and change with the system and we're looking for a regular partnership up there, but he's done well ? especially as we've been playing 4-5-1 in some games, which isn't the Luton way.”
A baptism a fire if ever there was one, but that's what City boss Glenn Roeder will be looking for ? how he can cope with such a challenge.
After his very public criticism of the Beccles-born forward, it could be now or never for Martin.
But it's certainly a case of so far, so good for the former England Under-19 hotshot ? who had City fans labelling him 'the new Chris Sutton' after he burst onto the Canary scene under Peter Grant two seasons ago.
“He's very strong and difficult to knock off the ball,” added Pearce, speaking exclusively to MFW.
“He got both goals in the Football League Trophy match against Brentford and he scored one of the penalties in the shoot-out. He's got four at the moment and Martin is certainly warming the Luton fans' hearts.”
The same goes for his City pal Spillane, and he is Hatters' boss Mick Harford's mainstay in defence ? which the Republic of Ireland youth international has always maintained is his best position.
“Michael Spillane has grabbed a couple of goals and has looked pretty solid in defence,” continued Pearce. “He has made a couple of errors though where ? by his own admission, he's lost concentration.
“Sometimes I think he tries to play the ball too much, rather than clear it. He's done that a couple of times and it was his mistake at Bradford which led to their goal.
“He tried to play the ball but missed it completely. Their player then went through one on one with the 'keeper and scored.
“He was playing alongside an experienced player in George Pilkington in the centre of defence but, because of injuries, he has been playing with another youngster, Harry Worley. They've looked pretty good, but Luton are shipping too many goals.
“Saying that, I think Spillane has got a lot of potential and could become a very, very good centre-half indeed. He could play in midfield and I'd even like to see him as a striker, but Luton are so devastated by injuries that I think that's where he'll stay.”
As for the third player who made the relatively short trip to Bedfordshire in the summer, it seems he, too, is now finding his feet after a difficult start.
And according to BBC man Pearce, an avid Luton Town fan, Jarvis should be playing at a higher level. Let's just hope that the Fakenham midfielder doesn't come back to haunt City chief Roeder one day.
“Rossi Jarvis has been a little bit of a slow grower to be honest. But he's starting to really influence things now. He's been moved about a bit and I thought he was a little bit lightweight to start with but since Kevin Nicholls has got injured he's making a good fist of it.
“He's got good skills and takes a lot of set pieces and takes some excellent corners. Maybe he needs to become more physical though ? some of the defenders in League Two can knock lumps out of you!
“But people are warming to him and there's no doubt that he's a good player, especially in that division. He should be playing at a higher level.”
Tom Haylett
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