Norwich City: What have we learned from Thorup era so far?

Since the Dane's appointment as head coach on May 30, the Canaries have signed eight first team players, lost 12, played 12 games in three countries, gone out of the Carabao Cup and earned five Championship points.

He's also been the subject of countless interviews, held numerous team meetings, completed multiple public appearances and overseen a myriad of training sessions. Certainly a big enough body of work for a flavour of what the new era looks like.

In truth that's good news for the majority of supporters, whose cries for change were loud and unified amid years of dubiety. Thorup and sporting director Ben Knapper had carte blanche to make their mark at Carrow Road, as long as it was purposeful and different.

The early signs suggest that a significant difference is being made, and there's undeniably a greater sense of ideology at play. Notes of the new philosophy have run through everything done at the Avant Training Centre, from behind the scenes videos to tactical plans.

Johannes Hoff Thorup's philosophy has been evident in the Canaries' work (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That work has started to pay off on the pitch, observers seeing the trademarks Thorup promised they would much earlier than expected. Almost every one of their goals so far has been routed in a commitment to quick, passing football through the thirds. The transfer business has had it too, exits allowed to encourage development and arrivals specified as players for the system.

Fans who missed identity under Dean Smith and David Wagner can finally tell others exactly what the aim is, on the pitch as well as off it, and they feel like everything points in the same direction.

It's also arguable that City deserve more than they've got results-wise, with positive and fairly dominant performances against Blackburn and Sheffield United earning only draws when both could have been victorious. Although their opposition are building too, four points against Coventry and the Blades looks like an impressive haul at this early stage.

But, as in any long-term project, there are kinks to iron out. The right-wing position still looks unsettled, for example, with Jonathan Rowe's departure leaving a gaping hole and  Ante Crnac flattering to deceive in his early appearances.

It could be that Liverpool loanee Kaide Gordon provides the simple solution to those problems, but relying solely on a 19-year-old with little first-team experience could prove unwise. Ditto 18-year-old Oscar Schwartau, who was initially brought to Norwich as a midfield option.

Replacing Jonathan Rowe is a difficult task (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

The wider lack of an individual creative similar to Gabriel Sara or formerly Emi Buendia also looks like a void that needs filling. Although, as the sweeping offensive moves that have defined the season so far prove, system will be chief, another route is often useful.

Daniel Farke found that in his possession-based side, with Buendia or even Onel Hernandez giving him something very different. Borja Sainz is threatening to be that man, but needs to improve his consistency to do so.

There's the matter of centre-back as well, where Thorup still appears to be searching for his best partnership. Shane Duffy and Callum Doyle have done well in the last two games, conceding only once in 195 minutes of football after just one game together to tune up.

The tactical issues with that setup are clear, however, and they have so far succeeded against strikers whose games are suited to their own; both Kieffer Moore and Ellis Simms were looking for an aerial battle, and City's centre-backs were happy to oblige. But there remains a question mark over the pace needed to defend in-behind, and they were exposed by Blackburn's darting Tyrhys Dolan.

Callum Doyle (left) and Shane Duffy have been starting at centre-back for City (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)
That duo also means leaving marquee signing Jose Cordoba on the bench, with Ben Chrisene's fine form denying Doyle a route to left-back. Competition for places is a positive, of course, but that's an area that still defines the transitional phase Norwich are in.

In many ways that's what must be remembered: that City are still at the start of a plan not expected to produce promotion until its third year. Any teething problems are part of the process, and they're problems Thorup will back himself to deal with.

The 35-year-old might not have a three-month spell as busy as his first in NR1, but there is still plenty of work left to do. As for now, the common consensus is that he's ahead of schedule.