SHAQ FORDE has a ‘big future ahead of him’ after a bright start to his York City loan spell, according to interim manager Michael Morton. 

Forde became former York boss David Webb’s first signing at the helm, joining the Minstermen on a loan deal until the end of the season from Sky Bet Championship side Watford. 

The young striker immediately showed his quality, netting four goals in his first two matches and establishing himself as City’s youngest ever player to score a hattrick in York’s 4-1 victory over Maidstone United.

But with the Watford loanee alternating between playing up front, on the wing and in the number ten role, Morton was full of praise for his young talent.

“He’s 18-year-old now, he’s got a big future ahead of him.” Enthused Morton. 

“He’s going to go through what is part of his learning journey, he is coming here and playing against men and playing in different roles.

“I think as a young lad he is still on a journey, he knows that he wasn’t at his best the other day but he’s a young boy.

“We’ve got a plan and we’ve got to make sure we get the best out of the team.

“Our number one priority is staying in the league, I think the positive is that we gave a couple of people a rest the other day who are going to come in tomorrow night. 

“And then we got to see certain people like Gus [Mafuta] come in and give them minutes, and I think players like that are going to be vital for us going into the last ten games.”

Morton opted to switch to a four at the back formation on Saturday, moving away from his preferred three at the back system.

The move unfortunately did not pay off, with City exiting the Isuzu FA Trophy in the quarter-finals after being defeated 2-1 by fellow Vanarama National League outfit Altrincham. 

Morton explained his tactical decision ahead of Tuesday night’s league fixture against Altrincham.

“We’ve been playing between a back three and a back four in games as well, I don’t know if anybody has noticed but that is what we have been doing. 

“What we did the other day is start with a back four but we was always ready to go to a back three, the only difference was that we played with a lot of structure in the midfield and had a lot of bodies who like to get it and move it rather than go attacking. 

“If you look at Shaq’s position, sometimes he’ll play wide and Manny [Duku] will go central and Jamo [Luke James] was central and wide. 

“I think for us it’s just making sure that we are solid behind the ball, but then making sure we pose a lot of problems going forward. 

“If you look at our last couple of games before [Altrincham] we have played with an extra attacking midfielder, which gives them a different problem. 

“So tomorrow we will be more attacking. 

“We’ll bring some players back in, we’ll be more forward-thinking and go and have a good go.”