Norwich City urged to have "patience" with £8.5m star - Josh Sargent reminder sent | OneFootball

Ante Crnac hasn't quite been able to showcase his ability to the Carrow Road faithful just yet.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

It has been a mixed start to life in the Norwich City dugout for Liam Manning as he looks to bring back a winning mentality to Carrow Road following a dismal 2024/25 season.

After previously being one of the Championship's so-called 'big-hitters' after two title-winning seasons in the last decade, the Canaries took a huge backwards step last season under Johannes Hoff Thorup and Jack Wilshere, ending the second-tier campaign in 13th.

It was, rightfully, a major disappointment to all associated with the Norfolk club when looking at those among the squad on paper, as well as the money ploughed into yet another rebuilding job in a season which Mark Attanasio became majority stakeholder after a previous stint on the board of directors.

Many signings under Manning's predecessor pointed towards the future as well as the short-term, with the club investing heavily in potential through incomings such as Matej Jurasek, Jose Cordoba, Amankwah Forson, Ben Chrisene, Oscar Schwartau and a major move for young striker, Ante Crnac, who joined from Polish side, Rakow, for an initial £8.5m fee plus add-ons last August.

However, a year into his four-year deal, the 21-year-old is yet to really showcase his full talent to the masses at Carrow Road, although there is belief that his fortunes could soon turn.

Norwich City supporters urged to have "patience" with Ante Crnac amid Josh Sargent comparison

Since making his debut for the Norfolk club in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United at Carrow Road last August, Crnac has endured a mixed spell in front of goal and when it comes to sourcing regular minutes in his natural position.

The 10-time Croatian youth international spent the majority of last season featuring as a right-winger in a front trio alongside Borja Sainz and Josh Sargent, who largely stole the limelight for the bundles of goals scored between them in a dismal campaign for the Yellows.

In truth though, a return of seven goals and five assists across a maiden 38 appearances in the second-tier is an extremely adequate return for such a young prospect. However, given the aforementioned price tag, some supporters have already questioned whether the move will become a success.

As such, Football League World's Norwich fan pundit, Zeke Downes, has urged those at Carrow Road to remain patient with Crnac, drawing comparisons to Sargent's initial struggles after moving from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2021.

"I think Ante Crnac hasn't lived up to his price tag yet, but that's expected as he's still young," Downes told FLW.

"He's not been here for that long, and he's not been able to have a good run in the team where he'd like to play. No one really knows whether he's a striker or winger, and obviously, we've got Sargent, which means he's never going to be first-choice striker, which means he's been pushed out wide like Sargent was when Pukki was here.

"I think it's a long journey for him. He is young, he did get a decent amount of goal contributions last season. He's not kicked on this season yet, but I think he will.

"I just think everyone needs to have a good run of games together and gel as a team, and I think the fans need to have a bit of patience. We've had it multiple times. Sargent was slow to kick on, Sara, a load of other players took a little while to get used to the league and the speed of the game.

"I think he'll end up being a decent player, he just needs to have his gametime and get some confidence. When he gets his first of the season, I think he'll be fine," our fan pundit concluded.

Norwich City supporters may only be patient with Ante Crnac for so long - he needs to get off and running soon

As Downes alluded to, Sargent didn't get off to the greatest of starts following his £8m switch from Werder Bremen.

The USA international arrived at Carrow Road in the summer of 2021, but scored just twice in 26 Premier League appearances during his debut campaign in Norfolk, as the Canaries were relegated to the Championship.

Now, however, is arguably the second-tier's hottest property after scoring 49 times in 102 games at the level over the last few years, and is already the division's top scorer this season with five goals in four games.

Crnac will hope to replicate such form, but until the American does, inevitably, move on amid strong interest in the summer window, it is highly unlikely he will feature as City's main focal point unless their star striker sustains yet another injury issue.

The limelight would then be on the young forward to deliver after Sainz's exit to Porto, yet if he fails to get off the mark for the campaign sooner rather than later, supporters are likely to lose the patience which Downes has called for, with goals and results the most important thing for Norwich this season as Manning