Derby County v Norwich City: Championship tactical preview

The line-up

After weeks of chopping, changing and tough decisions, Johannes Hoff Thorup may have his easiest team selection yet for his seventh Championship fixture. 

Saturday’s 4-1 win over Watford was crafted by a starting line-up with the right tactical balance, high levels of individual quality and strength in all areas. It was the sort that Thorup’s been working towards from the start of pre-season, and it looks his most settled since arriving in May.

But there’s still the nagging choice surrounding Anis Ben Slimane, and whether he should make the XI if fit. The impression he made in his debut at Coventry was undeniable, his physicality and nous key in a tight 1-0 win. But his inclusion would mean dropping one of the midfielders from that Hornets victory, with all three on top form.

The fitness of Anis Ben Slimane could be key to the Canaries' chances (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) The selection headache is only exacerbated by the tactics that the Rams deploy, with Slimane suited to a clash with the home midfield. Where Watford’s central two allowed Norwich to go round them with their trio, darting runs and rapid passes key, Derby’s 4-3-3 means a much more direct battle in the middle of the pitch.

That could be good news for Slimane, whose strength in the tackle is matched only by Kenny McLean and who thrives on battles like those. It's a good choice for Thorup to have, especially given the midfield struggles faced only a month ago.

The opposition

After numerous meetings with his Rotherham United side, most City fans know what a Paul Warne team looks like.

At Derby he's stuck with the formula that earned him plaudits with the Millers, and it isn't especially pretty. The visitors can expect a bombardment of long balls and crosses, a deep opposition defence, quality from home set-pieces and a solid Championship mentality, with the power and pace to counter-attack, too.

Technically there are weaknesses to exploit, and in truth Norwich are a much better 'footballing' team, but the aim from the hosts will be to negate that strength. Be it through ex-Canary Ebou Adams in the engine room or once-linked defender Eiran Cashin in defence, there's plenty of solidity through the spine of Warne's team.

Paul Warne's side will be happy to play spoiler (Image: PA) Up front there's pace and directness, and that's where much of the threat comes from. Stocky and direct left-winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing has already made his mark on the second division, while former Ipswich Town man Kayden Jackson provides a goal threat from the right.

If he's not completing one of the numerous crosses City will face he'll be sneaking in at the back post, hopeful of adding to the two goals he's scored since joining Derby on a free transfer this summer.

The tactics

Thorup was clear in his message last week and the same applies here: play quickly and his charges will have control, fail to and it'll be an uphill battle.

In possession the task will be to move the ball on before Adams and co. can turn the game into a test of mettle, using the technical superiority Norwich have to their advantage. Doing so will also be key to creating gaps within a well-trained defence, and finding spaces to exploit in the opposition half.

Vital to that is Callum Doyle, the results of whose adventures forward were highlighted just three minutes into last week's game. If he can get close to Josh Sargent then the pipeline is there, and his majestic left foot should be able to find it.

Callum Doyle's passing is a major strength for City (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) Defensively it will be a case of holding firm, and likely of aerial duels. The Dane will ask his full-backs to stop as many balls into the box as possible, but with the quantity attempted, some will slip through the net. Then it's on Jose Cordoba and Shane Duffy to get their first, and the likes of McLean to make the second balls.

City's centre-backs will also have to be alert to the danger behind them, and ready to stop those long balls and counter-attacks. In that sense Cordoba's pace is a major attribute, buying Duffy just enough time to make the recovery run.

The verdict

This is the sort of chess match possession-based sides tend to face more than any other. Norwich have proven their credentials against dynamic counterparts like Watford and Coventry, but can they do it against a team that's happy to play the spoiler?