Why international break came at right time for Norwich City

The hiatus in club football and all things Norwich City is understandably resented by most supporters but given the rank run of results endured by Johannes Hoff Thorup’s injury-ravaged side, it’s been refreshing to take my mind off what’s been happening at Carrow Road.

Running the Fulham 10k, a non-league trip to watch my local Peckham Town and a successful pair of darts matches have proved welcome distractions from following City’s Championship plight both at home and away.

As I write this in the office after last night’s tungsten tussle on Finchley Road, attention is suddenly starting to turn towards Saturday’s trip to the Hawthorns.

And despite all the disappointment us fans have suffered over the last seven weeks – City’s last win came back on October 5 against Hull – having a fortnight away from Norwich City has injected new life into my optimism heading into the crucial festive period.

Of course, it was not all lost after that dismal defeat against Bristol City, midweek Hillsborough horror-show and gut-wrenching late heartbreak in Cardiff.

As we all know, Thorup had just a decimated squad at his disposal that was lacking his first-choice three midfielders, No.1 goalkeeper and striker.

And having witnessed those thrilling Saturday lunchtime triumphs over the Tigers, Watford and Derby, I think it’s fair to say we’ve all seen enough from this new regime to get us excited about what the future may hold.

But as I made the bleak walk up from Carrow Road to the Coach & Horses two Saturday evenings ago, it was difficult to muster many positives from what was undoubtedly one of the sloppiest, incoherent and unentertaining home performances in recent memory.

Had City been faced with another gruelling midweek encounter three days later, or even a subsequent Championship clash the following weekend, we’d probably all have been dreading the prospect of what was to come.

But pleasingly, and despite the international break being such a regular source of frustration for football fans around the country, the two-week gap has revitalised my spirits heading into this weekend’s crunch clash in the West Midlands.

While obviously always keeping a keen eye on City news, it’s sometimes nice to take a step back and indulge in other interests away from the club.

Running, darts and pub trips with friends and family have provided a pleasant change of scenery from long-haul train journeys following City’s exploits and the frequent level of suffering that comes with watching your team home and away.

Come Saturday morning, me and a bumper 2,500 other City fans will be preparing to jump back on the rocky Championship rollercoaster once again.

And while the last couple of weeks may have functioned as a nice distraction, it’s fair to say I can’t wait.

Although Thorup’s squad remains relatively depleted, the break came at the perfect time for City.

So many bodies were visibly flagging during that grim Robins defeat and after such a relentless run of games – including a seemingly disproportionate amount of lengthy trips away – we needed some time to regroup.

The talismanic trio of Josh Sargent, Kenny McLean and Marcelino Nunez may still be unavailable - and we are obviously lacking a proven second choice striker.

Kenny McLean serves the last match of his suspension against West Brom (Image: Paul Chesterton)

But given what we’ve seen from Thorup both on and off the pitch, I’d back him to have found some form of solution to the issues so conspicuously on display in Wales, Sheffield and back on home Carrow Road soil.

That non-stop run of matches came at the worst possible time as second string, often unfit players were propelled into action in frequently unfamiliar positions.

And while that may still be the case to a certain extent on Saturday, I’d be hopeful that Thorup will have found a way to stop the rot.

From a personal perspective, it’s been pleasant to pivot attention away from Norwich City over the international break.

And in conjunction with that renewed excitement, I’m backing Thorup to have used the time off similarly productivity as his players plot a path back towards the play-off places.