Press news in...

We're in position for a rare press conference from Carrow Road.
----------------------------------------------------------------

We start with fitness. Marcelino Nunez still has some swelling on his ankle and will miss "weeks not months". Manning "really disappointed". "I thought he played really well against Portsmouth and Watford, but fortunately we have the international break as well."

On whether a replacement will be signed: "I don't think so, because we've got players coming back. Kenny's nearly back and we've got options in that area." It'll be "tight" as to whether McLean is back before the international break.

Lucien Mahovo will be back in training during the international break but Gabriel Forsyth will be a little bit later than that. "Big additions for us," says Manning. "They'll feel like new signings." No fresh fitness issues.

Portsmouth reflections: "There are so many factors to reflect on. Their home form is good and they've got quite a settled side. Watching it back I thought we had control in the first half with the ball and without it. Two excellent goals from set-pieces. We have to be better with the ball, but it's only game three now. We won't be perfect for a little while."

Manning: "The second you think you've cracked anything, you're in trouble. We'll keep chipping away and improving with the ball. We want to be able to control the game with the ball, but we have to be very clear about what it looks like when we can't do that."

On Jakov Medic: "It makes me smile thinking back to how he was in the changing room after Portsmouth. It was a new experience for some of the lads - the little things that the referee doesn't see, the fouls that weren't given. It's a transition for them, and I thought they stood up really well together. Vlad (Kovacevic) had a terrific game, and they'll be stood in good stead as a result."

"His physicality, how he covers the ground, his aggression in duels is excellent," says Manning of Jose Cordoba. "He's got things to improve on, but he's had a solid start. We've told him that it's okay to go deep sometimes on the ball. Some things will come with the rhythm of games, and we've got three coming up."

More on Cordoba: "Physically he's top level, but it's about the ability to learn. That will determine how good he can be for me. How do you do it across a full season? That's the challenge, and we have to find that consistency."

On Middlesbrough's strong start: "I'm not surprised. They've got a settled squad as well and Rob's gone there and done some different stuff. It's a different game, but the fundamentals won't change for us."

"Delighted to get back here," says LM. "The atmosphere at Portsmouth was electric, so if we can get that x10 then we'll be in a good position."

Manning on fan buy-in: "We want everybody pulling in the same direction. The fans were outstanding last week and the players showed their appreciation. They're the memories that I'm talking about. It's about everybody pulling in the same direction."

On Carrow Road: "With us on the pitch and the fans off it, that's the challenge. It's the lads giving the fans something to get behind and the fans giving the lads a lift when we need it. It didn't surprise me that the lads started so well against Millwall, because of that noise."

Manning asked about transfer quietness. "There's not a lot happening at the moment," he says. "Nothing close." Adds that they've been clear with George Long that he's free to move on and that he's exploring opportunities. "But we'll make sure that we look after him as well."

On Kellen Fisher links: "The big thing for me is that it's a really tough decision for me (at right-back), which is what I want. Kellen was excellent on Tuesday and Jack (Stacey) has done really well as well. We're going to have to make changes in that position throughout the season when the games are coming thick and fast. With those two we can sustain the level."

On managing young players and rumours: "I'm probably oblivious to 95% of it. That's where I rely on Dan (head of comms). of course we need to know everything, and part of young players' development is how to handle that. It's one of those where at the right time we'll sit with lads and have conversations. It comes down to performances on the pitch and your values."

"He had a decent season with Stockport," says LM of Brad Hills. "I can't speak highly enough of him, but he wasn't quite ready to have an impact here and now. He might in the future, but for now it was good business for the club."

------------------------------------------------------------

🟡🟢 That's all from Carrow Road.

Posted By: DrDublin on August 20th 2025 at 14:22:56

Message Thread

Reply to Message

In order to add a post to the WotB Message Board you must be a registered WotB user.

If you are not yet registered then please visit the registration page. You should ensure that their browser is setup to accept cookies.

Log in