Saturday 9 December 2017 17:37, UK
Whatever happens between now and the end of the season at Norwich City, there will always be one thing the club can look back on and be thankful for: the emergence of James Maddison.
"A breakthrough season is the perfect way to describe it I think," the 21-year-old told Sky Sports.
"I struggled to get game-time last season and obviously we're really heavy in that area of the pitch with the likes of Alex Pritchard, Wes Hoolahan and Steven Naismith.
"So I had to bide my time and go out on loan, then I came back in pre-season in good shape and the boss [talked to me] and I liked his ideas. I was playing well and it kicked on from there."
His manager Daniel Farke hasn't exactly had a dream start to life at Carrow Road. The club are in the bottom half of the table heading into the weekend and on a dreadful run of form which has seen them pick up just two points from a possible 21.
Maddison, however, is in no doubt that the German is the right man for the job, and he feels indebted to him for giving him a chance.
"I owe it all to him, to be honest," the midfielder continued. "I mean I'd played three times off the bench last season but, other than that, I didn't have any experience in the Championship. And he was happy to throw me into the deep end in the middle of midfield as a 20-year-old. I've relished it and I'm thankful to him."
Maddison has scored five times in the Championship this season, and his importance to the team is reflected in 21 appearances in all competitions so far. Farke has admitted that he would have liked to have given him less game time were circumstances and form different, but the midfielder is not having any of that.
"No chance!" he said. "I can see where he's coming from because managers like to protect their younger players, especially with the workload in the Championship which can be relentless.
"But any player will tell you they just want to play as many games as they can, especially with the form I've been in this season. I feel like I've hit a really good patch."
It's been a season of milestones for Maddison, but there's no doubt about what the best moment has been so far. The winner against Ipswich in the East Anglian derby in October.
"It just meant so much to everyone in the city, to myself and I had my family there in the crowd," he said. "It was just a perfect moment."
And there was even a tweet from Norwich fan Stephen Fry, who compared him favourably with the midfielder's namesake, the fourth president of the United States James Maddison.
"It's not the worst compliment is it!" joked the Norwich man. "My phone blew up after he tweeted that and I think I got a few more followers. So thanks to him!"
It's not just the attention of his manager and celebrities that Maddison has been grabbing. Opposition defenders are starting to take notice of his talent as well. He's been fouled 69 times in the Championship this season, which is more than any other player. And he's not surprised by the stat the the slightest.
"I knew I'd be up there because in some of the games I think I've hit double figures for fouls won," he said. "But I'm the type of player who likes to be creative and make things happen and the other teams have got to try and stop me. As long as the referee is doing his job I'll have no complaints and I'll just get up and keep going.
"I think it's a backhanded compliment in a way. You get fouled a lot and it's frustrating, but if that's the only way they can stop you then you must be doing something right."
While his own form has been excellent, Maddison knows that the form of the club has not been good enough. If there is any chance of reaching the play-offs things need to improve fast, starting with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football.
"We know within the squad we should be challenging for promotion, but it's a long season," he said. "When we went on that run we felt invincible, but now we find ourselves on a run where we're struggling to get a win. But we have to keep working hard on the training pitch and put it right.
"It will be a tough game, but it's a perfect time for us to showcase what we can do. The fans deserve more and we'll be looking to put that right on Saturday."
And Maddison is relishing the game because he generally scores when the cameras roll into town.
"I've got a great record on Sky! Every time the cameras come down I seem to score a goal, so long may that continue."
Don't miss the Sky Bet Championship clash between Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports Main Event from 5.15pm
