- Makama’s 13 goals saved Norwich from disaster before injury halted his rise.
- Former Lincoln striker proved essential during the club’s darkest moments.
- Despite his long absence, Makama’s huge impact remains a symbol of hope.
Some might say “Jovon Makama as player of the season? But he’s been injured!”
While that is true, his contribution has been enormous and at the very least needs to be acknowledged.
Rough diamond
Makama is not the first player to have been unearthed by Norwich City.
Emi Buendia was a player deemed not fit enough at Getafe, while Shrewsbury’s Grant Holt was unfancied, and Teemu Pukki had been considered a flop at Celtic.
But there is something exciting about Makama and especially given not just how much he scored but when he scored.
Season saver
When Josh Sargent decided to exercise his thumbs rather than his feet, the panic set in. There was a very real sense that Norwich City could get relegated to League One.
Enter Makama.
A £1.2 million signing from Lincoln City, he went on to score 13 goals in just 31 appearances.
Promise
Unfortunately his blistering form was cruelly cut short by breaking a bone in his foot. It seems unlikely that he will play again this season.
This should not take away from how massive his contribution has been for Norwich City this year. It is fair to say without his goals there is a very real chance the team would still be scrapping in the relegation places.
There is also the benefit that he can operate on the wing, offering tactical flexibility that should prove useful for Philippe Clement next season as he shuffles his pack.
What Jovon represents is hope for the future. Mohammed Toure has stepped up with his goalscoring record, Matthias Kvistgaarden has worked hard and Errol Mundle-Smith is another intriguing proposition waiting in the wings.
Winner?
As impressive as Makama’s form was, it can’t be ignored that he has been out for a long period, and others have stepped up in that time. Ultimately, when choosing someone for player of the season, this is a factor that means he falls just short of the accolade.
That being said his achievements in that short period of time have been amazing and are worth celebrating. During a period of lumpen and predictable football before Clement came in he was a breath of fresh air.
But what do you think? What is more important- the time the player spends contributing during the season or the quality of that contribution?
We would love to hear what you think!
