Six things you might have missed from Oxford United 2-0 City

1 - Same difference

Given how much the word ‘change’ has featured in previews of Norwich City’s Championship campaign, the fact that 10 of Saturday’s starting line-up consisted of players at the club last season will have come as a surprise to supporters.

Apart from Callum Doyle at left back and the presence of Johannes Hoff Thorup’s presence in the technical area, there wasn’t a lot of new feeling around this clash for the Canaries.

That probably encapsulates why pockets of the travelling support were so frustrated by the final whistle – a lot of what unfolded at the Kassam Stadium didn’t feel that ‘new’ at all.

Defensive errors, slow possession, and longer balls—those unwanted ingredients have been all too regular characteristics of City sides for a number of seasons now.

Thorup alluded to the need to alter the culture to root out some of those aspects post-match, the hope will be this result and performance crystallises some tough decisions that require making from the new head coach.

Daniel Farke faced similar in his time as City boss. Of the German's first game in charge, only two ended up being regular members of the squad for the next campaign in which City were crowned title winners.

His time will now be spent trying to reinforce his playing philosophy, but also on making big calls.

It was a performance that graphically illustrated the work required to turn the dial. It will take time, transfer windows and probably more underpar performances.

2 - Lack of ball progression

A lot of Norwich City’s difficulties in this contest emerged from a struggle to progress the ball from deep build-up positions.

The Canaries struggled to progress the ball into more advanced areas of the pitch, a fact reflected in the numbers that show of their 429 completed passes during this encounter; only 124 were made inside Oxford United’s half.

Whether that was poor decisions or execution from those in defensive or midfield positions, City struggled to break lines against simplistic but effective pressing traps from Des Buckingham’s side.

Thorup’s system is based on the ability to be comfortable with the ball in tight areas and to entice a press to move the ball with speed.

Both Shane Duffy and Grant Hanley, plus a flimsy midfield, struggled to achieve that, prompting turnovers and transitional opportunities that eroded confidence needed to be brave in those moments.

City’s front three, Borja Sainz, Christian Fassnacht, and Josh Sargent, ranked as the players with the fewest touches in yellow and green. That shows the struggle with connection, which was a recurring theme during this encounter.

Sargent had only two touches inside the box and received just four passes. If Norwich want to unlock their creativity, it will hinge upon discovering a back four capable of executing Thorup’s demands.  

3 - Hanley's hook 

There are moments in football that can feel hugely significant for a host of different reasons.

The sight of Grant Hanley’s number five being raised on 61 minutes for Jacob Sorensen felt like a moment. The magnitude of it remains to be seen.

Hanley is in his eighth year at a Norwich player. His move to Norfolk born from a 4-0 defeat to Millwall that marked the end of Russell Martin’s long service at the club and a shift in a new direction under Daniel Farke.

Whether this moment plays out quite as drastically or not, Thorup will have to manage a player with high influence and experience after the public withdrawal on the hour mark.

Struggles in possession and an error that led to Mark Harris’ opening goal meant it was a day to forget for Hanley.

His expressions resembled a man less than impressed at the decision. With Jose Cordoba injured and Brad Hills impressing, there are players breathing down the necks of the experienced duo.

This was the first time since May 2016 that Hanley and Shane Duffy had formed a defensive partnership – and it wasn’t one that felt capable of leading City into the future.

But there are few things as drastic as hooking your captain an hour into the contest. Perhaps it’s a signal of Thorup’s intent from here.

Adam Idah was one of few bright spots in Norwich City's defeat to Oxford United. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

4 - Fair play, Adam 

It is a pretty open secret that Norwich City striker Adam Idah wants to re-join Celtic this summer.

Talks between the clubs are progressing and centre around a fee of £6m plus add-ons. Idah has been criticised for his own conduct throughout pre-season and was disciplined internally after failing to report for City’s flight to Austria last month.

But not once has the Irishman refused to play or not been willing to form part of a squad, even though he hasn’t carried himself faultlessly.

With Jonathan Rowe withdrawing from duty in the hours building up to the opening day of the campaign, the sight of Idah not just amongst the substitutes but putting his best foot forward in a bright cameo was refreshing.

Like Rowe, Idah is an academy graduate who Norwich have built the foundations for. There is a determination, albeit amid some wobbles, to leave the club the right way.

Idah’s enthusiasm and direct running caused problems whilst offering City another dimension in their attacking phases. Along with new addition Amankwah Forson, he was a bright spark in a dim day for Thorup’s side.

Irrespective of supporters' opinions on Idah, and they will be mixed, most will have left with at least a respect that he hasn’t lunged for the nuclear button like Rowe.

Gabe Forsyth made his Norwich City debut at Oxford United. (Image: Paul Chesterton)

5 - Forysth's the future

The sight of Gabriel Forsyth emerging from the dug-out to make his Norwich City debut just six days after his 18th birthday won’t have come as a surprise.

Forysth has impressed Thorup and his coaching team throughout pre-season both through his performances in matches and training. Many inside the dressing room feel he is one to watch as the campaign unfolds.

The midfielder has already made his senior debut for Hamilton in Scotland prior to his move to Norfolk, but is now in the history books as one of the youngest to play for the Canaries.

At 18 years and six days, only four players younger than Forsyth have played for Norwich in the Championship -  Bally Smart (17y11m21d), Rossi Jarvis (17y7m25d), Michael Spillane (17y23d) and Kris Renton (16y9m2d).

Forysth ranks as the 20th youngest player to debut for City since 1935 and the youngest since Dario Dumic (17y9m11d) in a 5-3 victory over Swindon in League One back in 2009.

It is a hat-tip to the impression the Scottish youth international has made during pre-season and the role that he could play moving forward. His presence kept experience Onel Hernandez out of the side altogether.

But Forsyth wasn’t even the youngest player on City’s bench at the Kassam Stadium, that was winger Elliot Myles at 17 years, six months and 21 days. If he were to play in Tuesday’s cup game against Stevenage, he would be their eighth youngest player in history.

Will opportunity knock for Brad Hills against Stevenage on Tuesday night? (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

6 - Cup dilemma

Carabao Cup games are routinely utilised to get minutes in the legs of fringe players and offer opportunities to youth.

But after this defeat, Thorup faces a decision with City looking so undercooked against Oxford United on Saturday and short in terms of understanding his style, City’s boss may want to get his side out again quickly.

Equally, the Dane could see it as an opportunity to examine different options—namely Brad Hills, Kellen Fisher, and Gabriel Forsyth—in competitive action for the first time.

It kickstarts a run of three straight Carrow Road matches where improvement will be important to help retain enthusiasm and belief in the journey he is attempting to take City on in the future.

That team selection against Stevenage will be intriguing as to how drastic, or not, Thorup wants to change his line-up ahead of next weekend’s clash against Blackburn in NR1.

Given the league will be the priority, Norwich will be hoping for a comfortable night in front of their own supporters on Tuesday.