Norwich City are gearing up for the new season, and Amankwah Forson is emerging as a pivotal player under head coach Liam Manning. The 22-year-old midfielder has showcased his attacking capabilities during pre-season, notably providing a precise assist in a recent 1-1 draw against FC Volendam.
Forson has spent his first season in English football adapting to various midfield roles but is now thriving in a more advanced position. Manning expressed optimism about Forson's potential to influence games from the front, stating, “He’s so sharp, he turns so quick, he takes pressure well and rolls out of it.” Following the match against Volendam, Manning added, “I thought he did really well against Volendam. Really pleasing. He had a couple of decent chances as well.”
While Forson had opportunities to make a more significant impact, including a shot that lacked power and a header from the back post, Manning commended his overall performance. Forson is showing “real good energy so far,” and the head coach highlighted the importance of continuing to leverage his strengths. “We’ll keep making sure that we get him into a position where he can bring his strengths. It’s still time for me to find that out,” he commented.
Manning emphasised the significance of pre-season matches, asserting that these fixtures are crucial for squad preparation. “That’s why these pre-season games are invaluable. We are building to a game in a few weeks when the season starts and these friendlies allow me to see how the lads can transfer what we’re asking them to do in training into games,” he explained.
Forson’s performance stood out in the opening match of City’s ten-day training camp. Reflecting on the experience, Manning noted, “It was really beneficial because it had a little bit of everything, in terms of the opposition and the style we faced. They played short and built up, they went long. They had a threat from set pieces in the box. It was what I expected at the minute. Some good moments and some not so good moments.”
The head coach recognised areas needing improvement, sharing that he had an honest debrief with the players after the match. “We were quite clear where we’re at. But at this stage, a big part of it is minutes in the legs. It was tough with the heat because the pitch dries up and quickly becomes sticky,” Manning remarked.
As Norwich City prepare to conclude their pre-season tour on Friday with back-to-back matches against Olympiacos and Den Haag, the focus remains on building momentum ahead of the new campaign. With promising talents like Forson emerging, Norwich City supporters have ample reason to feel optimistic about the challenges that lie ahead. Read more about Norwich Target Diallo as Deal Nears Completion.