Norwich City: The numbers behind Josh Sargent's goal-scoring

The American international feels like the difference behind their push for a top-six spot and his goals have proved crucial in their Championship campaign, especially in giving them the edge in tight affairs. 

Eleven goals in 16 games is an impressive return in itself - but dig deeper, and the magnitude of his efforts is even more laudable. 

Only Will Keane at Preston and Michel Helik at Huddersfield are averaging a goal per shot rate higher than Sargent's 0.31 - the American's goals have come from just 21 shots on target in the Championship this season. 

Sargent's shot accuracy rate sits at 81pc, and he is being handed, on average, 2.4 shots per game he has played. Once again, the striker is converting goals from an incredibly limited supply line. 

That supply line is evidenced by the fact that Sargent is averaging just four touches in the opposing penalty area per 90 minutes. Considering that, his return in recent weeks has been nothing short of staggering. 

Especially when considering that of those average shots, Sargent is managing to get 1.3 on target and only 0.3 off target - 0.7 have been blocked.

The pure numbers and breakdown of his shots this season are as follows: 36 in total, 21 on target, 11 blocked and five off target. 

Of players who have played over 1,000 minutes, only Adam Armstrong and Jaden Philogene are enjoying better returns, although both average more shots per 90 than Sargent. 

Since his return from injury, Sargent has only recorded more than one shot on target in two of the 12 Championship matches he has featured in. They came against wins over Coventry (two on target) and Cardiff (four on target). 

Five of his goals have come within games where he has managed just a single shot on target - his accuracy and prolific nature in front of goal is turning very small margins within matches into wins for Norwich. 

This is a level of finishing and quality that Sargent has exuded in previous campaigns - in last year's Championship season, he netted 13 goals across the campaign in 92 shots. His work has become smarter and contained more quality this year. 

Josh Sargent has become a pivotal player in their top six hunt. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Twenty seven of his 37 shots have come inside the penalty area while 2.3 shots per 90 come in the box; that compares to 1.8 in the 2022/23 campaign. That is evidence that Norwich are getting Sargent into better positions this season. 

His shot accuracy has increased. Last season, 0.8 of his efforts per 90 were failing to hit the target. The American international has halved that to 0.4 whilst increasing his on-target rate to 1.8 this term. That is the highest accuracy level in his senior career to date. 

Sargent's accuracy of shooting has increased, but the quality of his chances have increased in equal measure. 

His expected goals per 90 rate rank at 0.78 - no player in the Championship this season who has played over 1,000 minutes tops that. The next closest is Leicester forward Jamie Vardy, who also has 11 Championship goals this term. 

Norwich are getting Sargent in better positions more regularly. Albeit with a limited supply line, he is showing real quality to make the most of those opportunities. 

He spoke at length recently in response to a question from the Pink Un about where this recent form has come from. Sargent spoke about this being the first season he has operated solely as a number nine. 

Sargent has averaged 65 minutes in his 16 appearances this season - meaning his current strike rate is a goal every 95 minutes. That is superior to anyone in the top two divisions, including Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Liverpool's Mo Salah and Newcastle's Alexander Isak, who trail in the Norwich striker's wake. 

As a number nine, he is flourishing. His next mission is to show that this isn't just a good run of form but something that can be sustained. The answer may come when the form dips, as inevitably it will do at some stage. 

But there is clearly a greater utilisation of his skill-set. Sargent is complete, and it is other facets of his game where he is helping Norwich look a more effective outfit. 

Saluting the Sarge - something many Norwich fans are doing right now. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

An underplayed element of his game is how effective he's been in possession for City during his appearances. His short pass completion rate ranks at 88.7pc - he is contributing in their build-up and connecting with team-mates well. 

Much has been made of his effectiveness in the press - he is averaging 0.78 interceptions a game, that puts in the top 78pc of strikers in the whole division. 

Throw in aspects of performance like tactical awareness that statistics cannot judge and you begin to understand why he is so pivotal to Norwich's push for the top six. 

His mission now is to achieve a consistency. But there can be little debate that Sargent has found a perfect rhythm at the right time for Norwich City.