Six things you might have missed from City 1-3 St Pauli

1 - High risk, high reward? 

Everyone knew that transitioning to a new style of play under Johannes Hoff Thorup was going to come with adversity and bumps in the road.

At the fans forum event last month, the new City boss insisted that six weeks would be enough to whip his side into shape ahead of the new season. A disrupted preparation campaign is now likely to see that work bleed into the start of the campaign.

Many supporters were hoping that this performance against St Pauli would be positive enough to build some momentum and optimism heading into the campaign. The fact a smattering of boos greeted the half time whistle shows that was an opportunity missed.

Norwich did start brightly. They pressed with intensity, carved out opportunities, and displayed evidence of their new playing philosophy.

Then it stopped. What followed was 30 minutes that would cause concern in even the most patient City supporters. They are playing high-risk football that will come with errors—as both Jack Stacey and Ben Chrisene showed—especially as the education continues.

Thorup felt the individual errors were easy to coach out of his side. The proof in the pudding will now be in the eating, but results will be key to retaining that patience from supporters in the wider project.

If Norwich can get it right, there will be plenty of fun along the way. But high-profile errors will be part of the process. 

2 - Defensive conundrums 

One of the most frustrating facets of this pre-season campaign has been the constant knocks that have robbed City and Thorup of the opportunity to test different combinations, particularly in defence.

In Austria, City were forced to change half of their backline on the morning of their clash against Hoffenheim when Kellen Fisher was struck ill and Jose Cordoba felt a tightness in his thigh.

Shane Duffy has suffered with fitness issues. Grant Hanley was a late returner after the Euros. Cordoba is set for a scan to provide clarity on his issue.

Jacob Sorensen has played in central defence but lacked conviction. Both Jaden Warner and Brad Hills have impressed, but one will still depart on loan. City are yet to add first-choice left back Callum Doyle whilst Jack Stacey has struggled for form in pre-season.

That leaves Thorup will arguably more questions than solutions about the future of his defensive make-up.

Both Sorensen and Hanley have struggled with his ideas in possession. Duffy did offer more security in the second period.

If City can get Doyle over the line, he is likely to be needed at left-sided centre back with Ben Chrisene handed a chance to start at left back. The right side is more questionable. Fisher’s performances have left the door ajar, whilst young Hills has arguably been the most impressive option.

Thorup has plenty of pondering to do ahead of next weekend’s trip to the Kassam Stadium.  

3 - Set piece woes

Another change at Norwich City this summer has been in the set-piece department, with Andrew Hughes poached by Leicester and replaced by Brighton’s Nick Stanley.

Ben Knapper held extensive conversations with former coach Graham Potter about Stanley’s credentials and moved quickly once an opportunity to hire him was presented. His remit is wider than simply set pieces.

Norwich have a team of analysts who also conduct hours of research and help devise their set-piece strategy, but after this defeat Thorup was left admitting they need to pivot their approach after being undone again.

Marcelino Nunez began by marking Jackson Irvine, a vertically superior player, before St Pauli successfully blocked the Chilean in a move that allowed the former Hull man a clear run to meet the cross and power a header past Angus Gunn.

City deployed a mix of zonal and man to man defending – but left a big gap between the two for the attackers to exploit.

Stanley will need to find a more measured approach that enables City to compete offensively and defensively. After also shipping a goal too easily against Hoffenheim, it is very much back to the drawing board.

Oxford United and City’s other Championship opponents will have noticed.  

Adam Idah has been analysed throughout pre-season amid speculation with Celtic. (Image: Paul Chesterton)

4 - Sideshow

The noise surrounding Adam Idah and a potential move to Celtic has been a constant, unwanted thread that has ran through the entirety of pre-season.

After his failure to meet up with City’s squad for their flight to Austria last weekend and Thorup’s public criticism subsequently, the dial was ramped up to 10 by those north of the border.

Throw in a knock and every small detail of his involvement in this pre-season has been watched, analysed and picked apart.

Thorup was committed to reintegrating Idah into the squad after last week’s incident. His return to the bench was a welcome sign for City, especially given Josh Sargent hasn’t completed a full 90 minutes yet.

The first flashpoint of the afternoon was the reaction from the crowd as he emerged to warm up. A vast majority of claps were followed by a few, individualised boos. That was probably to be expected, even if not particularly helpful.

Idah did get on. Again, an overwhelming amount of cheers and claps have been forgotten about due to a few dissenters.

The cameo was bright. Some good touches. Positive running and even an important defensive header. Then came another flashpoint.

As the full time whistle sounded and the rest of City’s squad made their way round the pitch to applaud the supporters, Idah headed straight down the tunnel. Queue another weeks’ worth of headlines.

5 - Here's Jonny

Jonny Rowe has ended Norwich City’s pre-season as top goalscorer, netting four goals in six matches.

After an injury-hit second half of the campaign that halted a sparkling start, Rowe will be out to make up for lost time. Thorup has placed plenty of demands on him as he tries to take him to the next level.

Rowe’s intensity off the ball and tireless running has caused even more problems for City’s opponents. The key will be to bottle that up and take it into the start of the Championship campaign.

Those in his camp and internally at Carrow Road have been surprised by how quiet it has been around his future, but some admirers want to see more data and proof that he can find another gear before committing to a real pursuit.

The challenge for Rowe and Thorup will to be more creative contributions without dimming that innate ability to sniff out goal-scoring opportunities.

After a quieter campaign after his return from injury, Rowe looks keen to make up for lost time. He trained hard to get himself to another physical level over the summer.

The winger is after a quick start and to surpass last season’s numbers.

There is still plenty to ponder for Norwich City boss Johannes Hoff Thorup. (Image: Paul Chesterton)

6 - End of the phoney war

After six weeks, the real action begins next week at Oxford United.

There will be a real mix of emotions heading into the campaign given what City have shown in the matches played.

Those inside the club deliberately designed a preparation campaign that involved higher level opposition. That was something inherited by Thorup having been designed by his predecessor David Wagner.

Norwich have shown flashes of progress in every game coupled with periods that have caused concern.

Ultimately, how much does it mean? A quick flick through the history books shows – not much. Infamously, City were unbeaten in the summer of 2009 before that 7-1 defeat to Colchester under Bryan Gunn. Before the 1992/93 campaign, they lost every game before an opening day comeback win at Arsenal and a third placed finish.

Interestingly, City have only lost once in the second half of matches – winning three and drawing two of those 45 minutes after the interval. The slow starts to matches is something to keep an eye on.

Will Thorup have more questions than answers? Maybe. But it does feel like there will be plenty of turbulence in the opening weeks of the campaign as the Dane continues to implement his methods.