Norwich City v Watford: Johannes Hoff Thorup's match preview

Johannes Hoff Thorup hopes his team can return to winning ways at Carrow Road against the Hornets, but believes that will only be possible by avoiding an arm wrestle that would play into the hands of their opponents. 

The Hornets have made a bright start to their Championship campaign under new permanent boss Tom Cleverley, winning three of their opening five matches. 

Thorup has challenged his team to improve their control of the game through ball possession to prevent Watford from gaining the upper hand through counter-attacking and physical duels. 

"We have prepared for that this week. We have to be aware of their quite vertical game. They can attack with quick players up front," Thorup warned at his press conference. 

"Physicality is a big way of how they play. If your organisation and structure isn't good and you open up too much space for them to run into, then you can get yourself into trouble.

"The structure needs to be well in place and then we can see that if we do that well, find our positions quick and start to make our passing game in a good way then we can open up some space for us to hurt them, but it is a game that we really need to be on our front foot to avoid too many duels. We do that by having good positions." 

Thorup declared ahead of the clash that a late decision would need to be made on the fitness of Anis Ben Slimane, who missed their defeat to Swansea last weekend with a hamstring-related injury. 

If the Tunisian is sidelined again, the fear is whether City have enough to counteract Watford's physicality, especially in midfield areas. Thorup is adamant the ball is in their court to prevent that from becoming a key facet of the contest. 

"I wouldn't say concerns, that is a negative approach to it," Thorup said. "I'd rather say that if we do our game well and like we're supposed to do in the way our game model is based on, then we will definitely have chances and won't need all that physicality.

Watford are a team full of physicality and athleticism. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

"If we can avoid duels and play quick enough round and in between them, then we don't need it.

"If we are not there, then it's going to be a slower game where we don't find the structure quick enough or don't pass well enough, then it will be a game where we have to bring in some physicality. If that is the case, then we have an approach of what we need to do." 

Despite an indifferent start to the Championship campaign, Thorup is encouraged by City's performances and believe they are heading in the right direction. 

"I would have hoped, like I said after the Swansea game, for more points, and I think, especially in the last two or three games, we have done well in most of the minutes of the games.

"We are getting there, but the games we play are so even and it's good sides that we're playing against so it's down to small margins. We also need to learn in this tough league that you have to do your best every game you play, otherwise there will be no points for you.

"We need to make sure that the basics are all right and the hard work is right. We have to do every we can in every situation to get the best out of it.

"If you would have asked me if I wished for more points, then yes definitely. I would have hoped that we were maybe on eight to ten points where we now. We cannot effect that now.

"The only thing we can do is affect the performance tomorrow. For all the support that we've got from the fans, we will do everything we can to give them a good Saturday."

City are hoping to retain their long and proud unbeaten home record stretching back to November, with Thorup still searching for his first Carrow Road league victory since his appointment. 

Norwich City's supporters have displayed a positive response to their early performances. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

But whilst that is not a burden weighing heavy on his shoulders, the Dane is desperate to repay the strong early support both him and his methods have received since arriving in Norfolk. 

"Pressure, no pressure. We are in the football world to give and create fantastic moments, especially in front of a home crowd," Thorup said. 

"It would be fantastic to get a win. I felt it in the last 20 minutes of the Sheffield United game, even though the lads were tired, you could feel that they got an extra push from the stands to put them under pressure.

"I know we will get all that support tomorrow because it is definitely useful. That's part of the reason why the record is so good here at home. We have to make sure we put in a good performance so we can get the three points."