After signing on loan for the Canaries on deadline day, Sam Field sat down with the club for his first interview as a Yellow.
Sam, welcome to the club! You join us on deadline day today, which is always a bit of a whirlwind. Just tell us about your day and how you’ve come to join Norwich City.
Stressful! Glad to be here. I’d say, a reasonably quiet morning compared to the afternoon and then I’ve been travelling here and doing everything this afternoon, like the medical, and making sure it's all sorted and signed. I think we had 13 seconds or something stupid (until the transfer deadline), so sounds like we had plenty of time, but we didn’t. But yeah, it’s been full-on but I’m really glad it’s sorted now.
At this stage in your career, why is this loan the right move for you at the right time?
I'm 27, I’m desperate to play football. The first half of the year hasn't gone the way I'd like it to and Norwich expressed an interest. It was an opportunity that sounded perfect for me and, you know, I want to help them and I want them to help me. So, it sounded like a match made in heaven to be honest, really. I know it's only a short-term move until the end of the season, but I'm really looking forward to it, so, we'll see what happens.
What do you see yourself achieving with the club in these few months?
I've come in from afar, it's important that they've got the safety first, but Norwich is a big club, I can tell that already being here. The aspirations are a lot higher up the league, so I think I'll take it a game at a time. But with that approach, I think there's more than enough quality here to look higher up.
What were your impressions of the squad, the club and Carrow Road in the previous two games that you played against this team?
Norwich took six points off QPR, so they'd probably love them to be honest. But look, we know they're a good team and the league table is interesting this year and where Norwich are is probably not where a lot of people expected, probably not even where Norwich expected. So, I know what it's about, I want to try and be part of that and to get an opportunity is amazing.
Joining a club midway through the season can be a challenge in itself. Have you spoken to any of your new team-mates or crossed paths with any of them before?
I think I've played against a few of them numerous times, but no, I haven't had a chance to speak to anyone today. It's been a bit manic, so I'm sure I'll be straight in tomorrow and straight at it. From what I've heard, it's a good group and look, I'll just try and be me, try and do my part and help as I can.
We know you play in midfield but where are you most comfortable on the pitch?
Probably more defensive midfielder, but you know, I'd like to think I can play as a box-to-box more. This season, I've been used at left-back as well. I’d like to think I'm versatile, but as long as I'm playing, I think I'm quite a simple player to keep happy.
You'll probably have spoken to a few members of staff here so far about your role within the club. Where do you think you'll fit into Philippe Clement’s style of play?
I've got to work him out and he's got to work me out quite quickly. Like you said, it's halfway through the season already, so there's not much time to mess about. I'll try to slip into midfield but I'll go wherever the team needs me. I'm a team player, I’m part of that, wherever he asks. He’s obviously got a good reaction out of this group, it's quite clear to see by the points he's picked up already. So, for me, it’d be just absorbing it, taking it on board and trying to help.
You know the Championship very well. What from your experience can you bring into this side?
Yeah, I do know the Championship. It's not easy to work out sometimes. Speaking to a few of the staff here, you know, they've been saying how well they've been playing and then not picking up results, and sometimes you don't play as well and you pick up wins. So, it's riding the wave. I've been told it's a bit of a younger group, and I know I'm only 27 but sometimes people are surprised how young I am. I'd like to think I can offer some experience and this league is ruthless, this year more than ever, it's really tasty. So, look, getting a run to go — it's so tight in that — in the pack of the whole teams around it to be honest, that you haven't got time to waste. So no, I'm looking forward to just getting stuck in really and the games come thick and fast, which is the best thing.
Just lastly, do you have a message for Norwich City fans on your signing day today?
As simple as I am delighted to be here. I want to help the team and hopefully you get to see me play soon and we can all enjoy a win.