Norwich City's defenders have key part in team's attacks

In the run up to the visit of the Hornets, I had been a bit concerned about the lack of goals from the Canaries - and pondered on the lack of volume from our defenders.

At that stage I hadn't looked back at how many times members of the City back four found the net in the Championship last season.

After Callum Doyle thumped in his super strike in just the third minute and Ben Chrisene added City's fourth late on, I thought it was high time I looked back at the stats from the 2023/24 season.

And I discovered that those two goals against Watford were precisely half the total bagged by defenders in all 46 games last term.

Norwich scored 79 times in the main part of the season before the play-off semi-final clashes with Leeds.

Just four of those came from the boys at the back (if you're interested Jack Stacey, Sam McCallum, Danny Batth and Shane Duffy were those who got on the score sheet).

So it proved my musings before Saturday had some element of truth to them - especially as none of the goals in the opening five games had come from defenders.

There could be an argument that it doesn't matter where the goals from on the pitch.

However, I feel that the more the burden of finding the net is spread around the team the better it is.

And certainly Saturday's super show was real evidence that a key part of Johannes Hoff Thorup's strategy is for defenders to play an integral role in attack.

As I was driving to NR1 on Saturday I have to confess to having a bit of a grumble when I heard Doyle had been moved to full back from his previous central berth.

A good mate of mine is a mad keen Manchester City fan and when Doyle arrived on loan he said he felt centre back was definitely his strongest position.

His performances there in the early days of the season were excellent with his positioning, aerial presence, strength and fantastic passing ability.

I felt some of this aspects may be lost if he moved out to the flank.

Well, what do I know?!

That goal in front of us in the River End so early on oozed class and confidence.

Doyle had clearly been given licence to roam forward and (thanks to research from #ncfcnumbers) he was the first City defender to get a goal and an assist in the same game for seven and a half years (since Steven Whittaker in January 2017).

There's no doubt that Doyle is some talent. They say never fall in love with a loan player, but that is proving hard.

Thorup's decision to shake things up at the back, moving Doyle across and bringing in Kellen Fisher, proved a shrewd one.

I thought Fisher was excellent, and was certainly a contender for man of the match.

That period when he got caught out and lost the ball and then quickly recovered with an excellent tackle brought one of the biggest ovations of the afternoon.

It's going to be a fascinating battle between him and Stacey for the right back slot - and certainly a great choice for Thorup to have.

I sense there may be some alternating between them depending on opposition and approach to different matches.

There's no doubt Stacey gives a good option for attack as his performances for Norwich have proved.

As well as Doyle and Fisher being excellent on Saturday, Jose Cordoba also showed why there has been so much expectation for him.

While he did get caught out a couple of times, he is so strong, assured and bosses that back line.

The Panama international will only get better and that has to whet our appetites.

There's a really big week and a bit ahead for the Canaries with the lunchtime trip to Derby followed by the visits to Carra of Leeds and Hull.

It may well be that the back line will be focussed on their primary role but attack can certainly be a key part of defending.

OTBC.

Euro trash

I'm sure a bit of a football history has been made this season.

Has a league table in any level of the game ever had 32 teams before?

That is precisely the number of names in the new Champions League.

I haven't been a fan of European club football since we were bundled out of the UEFA Cup by Inter Milan 31 years ago.

In my view, this year has reached a new level of farce in the way competitions across the continent are organised.

Having that many teams in one league seems mad.

When there is so much talk about too many games being played, it seems a nonsense to add more to the schedule.

Also, how can it be called the Champions League when so many of those competing are far from being the champions in their own countries?

And don't get me started on the farce of the Europa League and the Conference League.

Call me old fashioned but I saw nothing wrong with the European Cup for the domestic league winners, the Cup Winners Cup for the domestic cup winners and the UEFA Cup to give an incentive to those finishing high up.

Once you were out you were out and we all knew where we were.

Chat to the boss

I've been really impressed with how Thorup has spoken since he arrived earlier this year.

He is calm, clear and focussed, which I feel is part of the reason why fans have really warmed to him.

So it's an exciting prospect that Thorup and his assistant Glen Riddersholm will be special guests at the next Norwich City Fans Social Club fans' forum.

City legend and club ambassador Darren Eadie will host the evening in the Gunn Club at Carrow Road on Wednesday October 23. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7.15pm start.

The cost is £5 adults, £1 accompanied under 16s.

The event will be supporting the Community Sports Foundation.

For more details visit the social club's website www.ncfsc.co.uk or follow them on social media.