Norwich City Reporter Heaps Praise On Former Lincoln City Man

Jovon Makama has been hailed for his impact at Norwich City after scoring on his first Championship start against Stoke City.

The 20-year-old forward, signed from Lincoln City in the summer, has quickly impressed in East Anglia and is now pushing for a regular starting role.

Makama Seizes His Chance

Head coach Liam Manning promised changes ahead of the trip to the bet365 Stadium, and Makama was handed his first league start. The decision was swiftly justified as the youngster produced a lively 55-minute display, capped by the opening goal in a 1-1 draw with Stoke City. It was a performance that underlined why Norwich were willing to invest £1.2 million in his potential.

Connor Southwell, Norwich City reporter for the Pink ‘Un, suggested the scrappy goal showed his sharp instincts. He dragged Aaron Cresswell out of position, curved his run into the middle, and timed his movement perfectly to meet Jack Stacey’s cutback. It was the kind of predatory positioning usually associated with seasoned strikers, not a player still adapting to the Championship.

Physical Presence And Promise

Southwell has highlighted Makama’s blend of size, pace and energy as a valuable addition to the attack. His duels with Cresswell, a defender with over 300 Premier League appearances, caught the eye, as he repeatedly used his physicality to trouble the Stoke back line. Beyond strength, he also showed technical ability, creating an opening for Josh Sargent in the first half with a clever through ball.

His progress has been rapid, given that he was not even in the squad for the recent defeat against Middlesbrough. Two goals in as many matches, including a debut strike against Wrexham in the EFL Cup, suggest he is already finding his feet at this level. The Pink ‘Un described him as a “real spark” for a Norwich side still searching for consistency under Manning.

A Pathway From Lincoln

Makama’s rise also serves as an endorsement of lower-league recruitment. After developing at Lincoln City, where he made a handful of senior appearances, the forward has quickly made the step up to Championship football. His determination to grasp opportunities fits the culture Manning is trying to instil, where effort and output are rewarded with game time.

For Norwich, the challenge now is to refine how best to use him. His height and strength offer a natural out-ball, but his sharpness around the box suggests he can be more than just a physical target. With back-to-back matches against West Bromwich Albion and Ipswich Town approaching, Makama is in contention to continue leading the line.

Writer’s View

Makama’s emergence is an exciting subplot in Norwich’s season. Signed as something of a wildcard, he has already proven himself capable of influencing games at Championship level. His combination of power, movement and finishing instincts has added a fresh dimension to Manning’s attack, while his work rate makes him a natural fit for the manager’s demands.

If his early form continues, Norwich may have uncovered one of the bargains of the summer – and Lincoln City can take pride in their role in his development.