Norwich City’s ‘incredible’ new signing likened to Nottingham Forest’s promotion hero

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While Josh Sargent remains the picture of consistency as Norwich City’s machine-like number nine, the Carrow Road faithful are fast discovering that the rough goes hand-in-hand with the smooth when it comes to their £2 million summer signing.

Football League oracle Ali Maxwell cannot help but be reminded of a certain Nottingham Forest cult hero when watching the Norwich City newbie in action.

Brice Samba spent much of his time between the sticks at the City Ground alternating from the brilliant to the baffling, sometimes even in the same game.

But, having saved no fewer than three Sheffield United penalties en route to that 2022 play-off final triumph over Huddersfield Town, France international Samba will forever hold a special place in the heart of the Forest fans.

It goes without saying really that, if Vladan Kovacevic ends this season as Liam Manning’s play-off-winning spot-kick-saving sensation, the odd blunder will have been forgiven.

Now, the first impression among Norwich supporters was one of fear. ‘Terrifying’, one wrote on social media after watching their new number one – Kovacevic was signed from Sporting Lisbon for a fee of £2 million – take a few heart-stopping risks with the ball at his feet.

And, in truth, Saturday’s 2-0, Sargent-inspired win at Blackburn Rovers summed up the madcap glovesman pretty nicely.

Ali Maxwell says Norwich City’s Vladan Kovacevic reminds him of Brice Samba at Nottingham Forest

Kovacevic was positioned so high up the pitch at one moment in the first-half that, when Blackburn snatched possession, Yuki Ohashi felt bold enough to attempt a lob from a David Beckham vs Wimbledon sort of distance.

If Kovacevic got away somewhat lightly then, the remarkable double stop he produced to keep out Augustus Kargbo twice in a matter of seconds was anything but fortunate.

“Rovers had a little spell and a couple of quite good chances,” Maxwell points out. “Kovacevic had to make an amazing double save.”

After reacting at the speed of sound to flick Kargbo’s initial effort onto the post from point-blank range, Kovacevic then sprang to his feet and ‘starfished’ away the Blackburn forward’s follow-up attempt.

“What we are learning about Kovacevic is that we might have a sort of Brice Samba-esque character on our hands,” Maxwell adds, taking an immediate liking to the barmy Bosnian from a neutral perspective.

“Celebrating those saves as if he’s scored… He just looks like a fairly live character who is going to make some fairly lively decisions in possession, coming off his line…

“But some incredible reflexes.”

Ben Chrisene speaks out on Kovacevic’s City Ground impact

Ben Chrisene, Norwich’s young central defender, has been handed a front-row view of Angus Gunn’s replacement. Kovacevic appears to possess a Brice Samba-style penchant for penalties too, having denied Portsmouth’s Coly Bishop from 12 yards on his Championship debut.

“Vlad saves the goals and I think he’s a crucial part of this team,” Chrisene tells the Pink Un.

“Some of the saves he pulls off, sometimes you’re thinking; ‘Wow, he saved me there’. It’s great and he’s a mad character as well, which kind of brings a bit of personality to the team, and he’s a great lad as well, so it’s good to see.

“I think he’s probably madder off the field, believe it or not, than on the field! There are a few of those lads like that at the club. It’s good.

“It kind of helps every player and like I said, all the new players, they’ve settled in pretty quick because you’ve got characters like that who can kind of make you feel welcomed, so it’s good.”