Tranmere Rovers striker James Norwood has been named the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Month for August.
After seven seasons in non-league, Norwood’s return to the EFL could not have gone better with five goals in as many games and all but one of Tranmere’s total. He allies a prodigious work-rate and harrying defenders with calmness in front of goal.
Norwood said: “It is just credit to the rest of the team – the way we play creates chances for me, and I am lucky enough to be on the end of them and they are lucky enough that they have gone in for me.
“I think I have got a point to prove. I believed I could play at a certain level since I was 18, 19. I haven’t had the chance, so if I have to build myself up year by year then hopefully I can do that.
“I didn’t win it [the player of the month award] in the Conference in nine years, so obviously to start the League Two campaign with this award is obviously a credit to the team and good for myself, and hopefully I can win a couple more.
“The centre midfielders create chances for me and my strike partner, well either Cole [Stockton] or Mulls [Paul Mullin], they open the space for me and the quality of the balls into me is top notch, so all I have got to do is put the ball in the net. As a team we have had a solid enough start, so we should be aiming for top seven and hopefully promotion.”
Sky Sports’ EFL pundit Don Goodman said: “After seven years outside the top four divisions, it’s fair to say Norwood has had to wait his turn for his another shot at the EFL, but boy is he making up for lost time.
“His 20 goals this calendar year, including five already this term, make him the highest scoring player in the top five leagues, in front of Mohamed Salah and Sergio Aguero.”
Sky Bet EFL trader Ivor Davies said: “After plying this trade in the lower leagues for several seasons James Norwood’s return to the EFL could not have gone much better.
“The striker notched six goals in five games as Tranmere enjoyed a good start and sit in mid table.
“Norwood can still be backed at a double figure price to win the Golden Boot having been 40/1 at the start of the season.”