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Teenager Steer shows composure beyond his years to aid Norwich
Goalscorer Simeon Jackson hailed the performance and nerves of steel shown by debutant goalkeeper Jed Steer in Norwich’s fourth-round triumph over West Brom.
Substitute Jackson scored an 85th-minute winner at The Hawthorns after Albion striker Marc-Antoine Fortune had cancelled out Grant Holt’s opening goal.
But the star for the Canaries was 19-year-old Steer who pulled off a string of fine saves, including two from Shane Long and Joe Mattock in the final seconds to deny the Baggies a replay.
Jackson said: “Jed’s debut was unreal. I watched him from the bench during the first half and he was outstanding from start to finish.
“He was one of the reasons we got the result. I see him every day in training and he is as good as he showed (on Saturday).
“When I was 19, I was a bag of nerves when I came on to the pitch but he came out oozing confidence.
“You have to be a strong character being a goalkeeper. He is quite quiet but an outstanding goalkeeper and has done his chances no harm.”
Norwich manager Paul Lambert echoed Jackson’s sentiments and said: “I think he has got the makings to be a top goalkeeper. He looks mature for his age and people have to remember he is only a kid.
“If he keeps level-headed, and always being humble about his career, he will have a massive career.
“There is no doubt a loan spell at Yeovil was great for him. He did fine down there. But I think, no disrespect to Yeovil, to play in an FA Cup tie against a Premier League side is a bit different.
“I would have no fear about throwing him in again.”
Jackson believes Norwich can take heart from the likes of unfancied Millwall, Portsmouth, Cardiff and Birmingham, who have all reached major finals in cup competitions in recent years.
He said: “The FA Cup excites players, it is a big tournament, the biggest in the country, and to still be in it is a great achievement.
“If the big teams continue to go out, it could open out for a team like Norwich.”
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