Jovon Makama might have finally become the first £1m player we have produced, but his impact doesn’t stop there.
His new employers, Norwich City, are something of a crisis club, but with three Championship goals to his name already, Jovon is becoming a shining light in an otherwise bleak period for the Canaries.
The academy graduate is being cited as a ‘good example’ of players progressing for the Canaries, as Liam Mannig desperately tries to find positives after their recent run of horror results.
“He’s had a good impact,” he told the Pink ‘Un when discussing Jovon. “He’s shown he can score goals and different types of goals. He’s shown his physicality and what we brought him in for.
“I think a few of the lads are progressing. When you look at it, it’s about being realistic with the group we’ve got as well. It’s how do we turn really high potential into more consistent performances?
“I think he’s a really good example of that. He’s progressively got better and the lads around him have as well.”
He’s done so well that a decision to replace him recently led to a chorus of boos ringing out around the ground. Manning defended his decision, citing the difference between Championship and League One football as a reason for his early withdrawal.
“It’s just the physical demands, the intensity is a big step up from League One,” continued Manning. “People straight away jump to how he looks when he’s running, but I think it’s also the intensity demands mentally.
“He’s done really well, Jovon, I’m really pleased with him. I think he’s had a real good start, real good impact. He’s one who I think has got a really exciting future ahead of him.
“It’s now how we turn that 60 minutes into 70, 75, 80 minutes and build that up.”
Jovon has seen 335 minutes of Championship action for Norwich, scoring three times.