As soon as the season gets underway, there is an opportunity to take a break from league commitments to take part in the EFL Cup which has seen the Eagles drawn at home to play Norwich City.
Ahead of the cup tie, we had a chat to the guys at NCFC News Central to find out how life has been treating fans of the Canaries.
TEB – How was pre-season for Norwich? What fixtures did you have and were there any stand-out players?
NNC – Pre-season was both good and bad. From a results perspective, it wasn’t great as we only won one game against Northampton. However, it was a good opportunity for the new manager to start implementing his style of play and also the level of our opponents made most games a good test – Club Brugge, Standard Liege, Hoffenheim, and St Pauli.
In terms of players, I’d say there were quite a few. Thorup seems to like 18 year old Gabe Forsyth who made his debut against Oxford. Callum Doyle has also been excellent since coming in on loan from Manchester City.
TEB – Are you happy with your summer transfer business? Were there any areas not strengthened that should have been?
NNC – We’ve done really well in the market, I think our Sporting Director, Ben Knapper (formerly Loans manager at Arsenal), made it clear when he came in that he wanted to lower the age profile of the squad. He’s definitely achieved that with the oldest new recruit being 23 years old.
We’ve made some really exciting additions, my personal favourite would probably be Amankwah Forson from RB Salzburg, who is definitely a player to watch out for if he is involved against Palace. In terms of positions, we should be looking to strengthen, they are definitely after a winger to replace recently departed Jonathan Rowe and a central midfielder. I’m fairly confident that we can fill those positions before the end of the window.
TEB – Thoughts on new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup? Is he the man to take Norwich forward?
NNC – Definitely. I think we’re already starting to see a clear idea of the style of play that Thorup wants. There is excitement amongst the fanbase which wasn’t there under the previous two managers Dean Smith and David Wagner.
TEB – Expectations for this season?
NNC – Fairly low I think. Many Norwich fans accept that this will be a transition season, as the squad gets more familiar with Thorup’s style of play. If Norwich finished in mid-table but we see a clear plan of the way that the manager wants us to play, I think most would be satisfied. However, the aim must be to try and get into the play-off conversation.
TEB – As a neutral it was a surprise to see Jonathan Rowe go to Marseille and not to a team in the Premier League. Will he be massively missed this season?
NNC – It remains to be seen. It does depend on how we replace him. We are still looking to sign his replacement. There’s definitely a need to replace the goal contributions of Gabriel Sara (who’s went to Galatasaray) and Rowe, however, Rowe spent a large part of the season out injured and looked average when he came back.
TEB – If you could sign one current player from Palace, who would it be?
NNC – Definitely Ebere Eze. He would add a lot of creativity that we now lack due to Sara’s departure.
TEB – Favourite away day in the Championship?
NNC – I’ve only been to one away day which was Watford when both were in the Premier League. It was probably my favourite Norwich game I’ve been to other than our win against Manchester City two years prior as the atmosphere was brilliant and the result was good too!
TEB – Predictions for the game including final score?
I think Palace will win, but Norwich will give it a good go; 2-1 Palace I think.
