Johannes Hoff Thorup is challenging his bright young things to elbow their way into a regular spot in Norwich City's Championship line up.

Teenage summer signing Oscar Schwartau started the 1-0 league defeat at Swansea, with 21-year-old Amankwah Forson in central midfield and big-money import Ante Crnac a second half arrival.

Thorup revealed afterwards Schwartau was preferred to the 20-year-old Crnac, who was away with Croatia’s Under-21s during the recent international break.

“It was based on the fact Oscar has been with us for the last 14 days, or however many it was since the Coventry game, and Ante had been away with his national team, so we've had the possibility to work more with Oscar and find the role for him,” said Thorup.

“Then, of course, also to give Ante a chance where there is not too much pressure on him from day one, but where he finds his role, and he finds his way into the team.

"I liked his attitude in the second half when he came on, because he was actually a threat down the right side.

“It can be difficult when you have to learn a new culture, new environment, new club, everything.

"It can take time, but we hope they can perform on a little higher level. But we decided to bring in younger players, and it takes time and we can’t put too much pressure on them in the beginning.”

City’s midfield and attacking wide players struggled for control, and a clinical edge at Swansea, in the absence of the injured Anis Ben Slimane.

The Tunisian international midfielder was ruled out with a hamstring-related issue after an impressive debut in the previous win over the Sky Blues, following his deadline night arrival on loan from Sheffield United.

“It's so easy for a coach to sit down and say it's a bit of individual quality we lacked, but again, it's also my responsibility to find the best possible positions for the guys that we have, and put them into roles where they can show their quality,” said Thorup.

“It's always a bigger picture and for that we have to look at all the decisions that we took before the game, putting several players into these positions that we prepared because, of course, I don't think we looked that comfortable, or at least not comfortable enough in the first half, and that's for all of us to look into.”