Norwich City 4-1 Watford: Paddy Davitt’s Championship points.
Paddy Davitt provides his Watford assessment following Norwich City’s first Championship home victory under Johannes Hoff Thorup.
1. One squad wearing yellow
The Norwich fans basked in the warm glow of a first-league victory at home under their Danish manager, taunting Watford’s away supporters as they exited.
Watford had their chances and threatened to make this a difficult conclusion, but Norwich were full value and the final margin of victory did not flatter Thorup’s players.
City were lively, full of energy, and razor-sharp when it counted, extending their undefeated home record at Carrow Road to 18 league games. That is a record Throup inherited and has built on against Blackburn, Sheffield United, and now the Hornets.
When asked on Friday about the expectation, if not the responsibility, of that lengthy unbroken streak, Thorup emphasized the positive and explained why he was in the business of providing these uplifting moments for players and fans.
Fans will follow his players’ deeds, not just his words. Full-time ovations were warm and exuberant. Most people will undoubtedly support this kind of football.
It remains a work in progress, and Thorup will face several hurdles along the road. But if City are, as he admits, in ‘catch up’ mode after a points tally from the first five league games that he thought was below standard, further performances like this will see them progress through the gears and up the Championship rankings.
2. Masterful McLean
Thorup looks to be a full-fledged member of the ‘why use 10 words when you can use five’ school of head coaching. Since arriving from Denmark, his pre- and post-match analysis has been concise and, on times, brutally honest.
After defeating Coventry in his first Championship game, he gave an honest appraisal of why Ante Crnac and Amankwah Forson were hooked at halftime.
It may have been missed in the euphoria of a euphoric victory, but Thorup was also questioned about Kenny McLean’s influence since his arrival at CBS.
The head coach praised the Scot’s willingness to adopt Thorup’s tactics and strive for self-improvement, even though he wasn’t completely satisfied with his performance.
The Dane won’t need to evaluate McLean’s performance against the Hornets. Norwich’s third goal came after two assists and a trigger ball to Callum Doyle early in the second half. Another exquisite threaded ball set Josh Sargent free in the 73rd minute, but the US international shot wide.
Throughout his City career, McLean’s efficiency has been less overt and more acknowledged by teammates and close coaching confidantes. During a failed Premier League campaign, Daniel Farke described him as ‘indispensable’.
McLean himself nailed his colours to the mast in the summer, when talk of a transfer to Rangers reached fever pitch. He wants to stay in Norfolk, and based on this, he will continue at the heart of City’s midfield under Thorup.
3. Vamos, José
When Norwich City’s imposing new center defender went on the big Colney tour in May, ahead of completing his move from Levski Sofia, you would have put your money on his first league start for the Canaries coming a week or two before October.
He played a significant role in Panama’s historic Copa America knockout stage during the interim period.
The 23-year-old made his debut with the seasoned Shane Duffy on a sunny Carrow Road.
It was a full-league debut that highlighted his athletic ability, ball control, and, in fact, one or two instances that demonstrated he will require the same patience and understanding as Crnac, Oscar Schwartau, Forson, and others.
The way he pushed Daniel Jebbison off the ball was the first indication of why City’s recruitment staff wanted him. Thorup seeks defenders who can operate in vast expanses and in direct duels.
He was also a menace in the opposition penalty area, attacking Marcelino Nunez’s set pieces and bursting forward to initiate offensive moves. In the 66th minute, Duffy slapped the back of Ryan Porteous after a valiant but painful-looking block.
But Rocco Vata tricked him too easily in the phase of play that pulled Watford level in the first half, with a quick turn that left Cordoba requiring a lottery ticket to get back inside Carrow Road.
However, there were enough entries on the plus side of the ledger indicating that Cordoba, with more minutes and exposure to Championship attackers, appears to be the genuine deal.
4. Dazzling Doyle
Thorup’s full-back move, which saw both Jack Stacey and Ben Chrisene relegated, may have surprised some. But it was the significant boost it provided that would have thrilled the Dane.
Kellen Fisher provided less attacking adventure than Stacey on his first league start since December 2023, but in that more inverted role, Doyle was able to demonstrate once more what an astute piece of recruitment he was, and why patience was required before Manchester City sanctioned his release on a season-long loan.
Doyle’s work exudes excellence, and we now know he has a devastating shot to go with his precision-guided possession and defensive combativeness.
When McLean shoveled the ball into midfield, Doyle still had a lot of work to do, but he shook off his marker and unleashed a soaring shot that Daniel Bachmann got his hands on but was beaten by the sheer strength and curving direction.
Doyle was instrumental in Norwich’s dominance and front-footed effort throughout the first 25 minutes of the game, scoring a magnificent shot. Nunez’s third goal came early in the second half, thanks to his surge and well weighted cutback.
Doyle may have had a great stroke of luck in the 33rd minute when Giorgi Chakvetadze’s corner wiggled under his knees on his own line and struck a post before Jebbison flew over.
However, the young Mancunian may be allowed to write his own scripts based on early indications of a third successive Championship loan posting.
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