Nottingham Forest allowed a number of players to leave either permanently or on loan during the summer transfer window – with starlet Manni Norkett being one of them.
The player signed from Manchester United and was born in Newark has been coming through the youth ranks and making waves with the development squads.
Cheltenham Town chose to take him on loan for the season following their relegation to League Two and the exposure to men’s football will be vital.
Norkett typically plays anywhere across the front three and he will be keen to ensure he gets plenty of football at Waddon Road this season.
The Forest academy is very reputable and it’s one part of the club that the fans are often unanimous over, admitting it’s the envy of many clubs.
For the likes of Norkett and many others, they will dream of playing senior football at Forest one day and going out on loan is all part of the development process.
EFL boss shares thoughts on latest Manni Norkett performance
Norkett was in action last night as Cheltenham took on Accrington in their latest League Two encounter.
The youngster came on for 31 minutes of last night’s game and bagged a goal in his third League Two outing for his loan club.
Norkett capitalised on some dreadful defending by Accrington to give Cheltenham hope in the game which was eventually won 2-1 by the hosts.
After the game, Robins boss Michael Flynn was quizzed on Norkett – and he made a shock revelation about the Forest youngster.
He told Gloucestershire Live: “I thought he was excellent. I have to be honest, we had a behind-closed-doors game against Bristol Rovers and he looked a little bit unfit if I am honest.
“So it was touch and go, but Lewis Payne has missed out tonight because I thought he needed that little break, being out with a hamstring and again, I am trying to do things for the right reasons in terms of not risking more injuries.
“So we went positive, with another striker on the bench, or attacking player and it’s paid off. I will take the credit for that one!”
Norkett will now want regular football for Cheltenham
At 19-years-old, there is every chance that Norkett has been added to the ranks by Cheltenham to act as a backup to more experienced players.
As a result, it’s brilliant that he’s managed to get himself among the goals during the first game where he’s actually earned a proper run in the league.
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All he can do is grasp every opportunity that comes in his direction and being part of the Forest youth setup, he will understand the meaning of hard work.
Given that Flynn has mentioned Norkett’s fitness, he will need to be wary of that and if he’s to play regularly that will need to be kept on top of.
Norkett looks like a very talented boy, however, and it should give him plenty of confidence to get a first goal under the belt in the EFL.
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