After all the attention on Norwich City's revolving door of transfer business this summer, perhaps keeping Kenny McLean may emerge as one of their finest bits of work. 

Throughout the early stage of the window, there was fevered speculation, as seems to be the case every summer, linking him with Rangers. Norwich kept him. Now it looks like he could play as major a role as ever. 

With respect to Rangers, McLean would have walked into their midfield, an area where they've not been as fluid as they would have liked, and been the best player. They've signed Connor Barron and Mohamed Diomande, but he is ahead of both. 

Maybe he would have had his head turned slightly, but it was important that he came out in pre-season and committed to Norwich. In weeks and months to come, we could reflect on that as a big moment in the season. 

Within the walls of Carrow Road and the dressing room, he is appreciated. If he was taken out of this team, there isn't a like-for-like replacement who can offer the same amount of consistency. On that measure, it is fantastic Norwich were able to retain him. 

It's not only his impact on the pitch, but given the shift in approach from the club, McLean's role has taken on even more importance over recent weeks. 

The noticeable change in the club model and route is to lower the average age whilst promoting from within and if Norwich are going to function like that, it's undoubtedly good for the long term. 

But there is also room for experienced players like McLean, who will play a crucial role in knitting everything together on and off the pitch. 

Especially the way that 'Hoffball', as it's been branded, is going to be played, Norwich will need consistency in the middle of the park but also a capability to take the ball in difficult situations. 

McLean has both the courage and quality to do that, as was documented in Saturday's victory with two quality passes in the build-up to Borja Sainz's and Marcelino Nunez's goals. It isn't just his leadership that has seen Thorup make him an integral part of his squad; it's his ability as well. 

I remember watching McLean during his time at Aberdeen, and I always thought his best position was number 10. At Norwich, he has shown his ability to adapt to various roles. He has a very intelligent football brain, something appreciated by every coach who has worked with him at Carrow Road. 

It's okay to flood the team with young players - and there is nothing wrong with that, and I like that they've drawn a line in the sand - but while others are adapting, McLean is a constant who maintains standards and offers consistency. 

Nobody should underestimate McLean's role in that team currently. Norwich aren't signing players who are the finished article and are also under a head coach still finding his feet in the Championship. 

After all the change, it's important to have someone who understands the club, knows what it is about, what it stands for, and keeps demands high. I've met him on a host of occasions, he's approachable but combines that with a real willingness to win. 

Norwich's challenge is to keep him fit. McLean and Marcelino Nunez are key parts of the system because the ball will go through to get their attackers into play. 

My first column this season was about the lack of excitement ahead of the new season amid all the transfer sagas and the lack of new energy around the club, but that has really shifted over the last few weeks. 

I was as excited as anyone when Norwich beat Coventry. I know the reputation that my former City team-mate Mark Robins has forged as a manager and it felt like a big moment. Then Swansea was frustrating - that's the Championship showing how hellish it can be as a league. 

But the weekend felt like a big moment. It felt like the first time 'Hoffball' has properly taken off.

In the grand scheme of things, it is a tiny step and part of the process. Did I think Norwich would go up this season in the automatic spots? Not a chance. Did I think Norwich would finish in the play-off positions? At the start of the season, I would have said 'not a chance'. 

There is something now, and maybe it's me getting slightly carried away, that points to more positivity. It is just a start, but there are small signs that this could flourish under Thorup.

With young players and a new style of play, there is naturally going to be an inconsistency, but Thorup is self-sufficient and even two coaches leaving doesn't seem to have made a big difference.   

The supporters deserve immense credit for the patience they've shown, even amidst a mixed start in terms of results and turbulence off the pitch. It's been a tough few seasons after Covid and patience has worn pretty thin with everything that has transpired in the last few years. 

This does feel like a fresh start for everyone. I quite like where Norwich are at currently. It is a direction of travel that feels sustainable and exciting - it's been a while since we've been able to say that. 

It is only the start of this journey, and it is going to be a slow burner, but Thorup has already built up plenty of goodwill and faith because of his clear playing style, ability to communicate and tactical intelligence. 

Equally, there have been real improvements. After struggling from an attacking perspective against Swansea, they worked on it in training, and that resulted in the weekend's win over Watford. 

Thorup is sticking to his principles and his guns - long may that continue. 

Robbie Savage played a memorable role in Norwich City's 3-2 victory over Derby in 2011. Robbie Savage played a memorable role in Norwich City's 3-2 victory over Derby in 2011. (Image: Newsquest) SUTTON EXTRA

Every Saturday and Sunday night, I am unlucky enough to host a phone in with Robbie Savage on national radio. 

I jest, of course. However, Robbie has always split opinions amongst football supporters because of his on-pitch reputation, but people forget that he was a very talented footballer. 

Someone rang into 606 and recounted this story, but in that famous 3-2 win in 2011, it was Robbie's prolonged withdrawal as a substitute that gave Simeon Jackson the time to net a dramatic late winner that all but fired Norwich to the Premier League. 

It's lovely that Robbie helped Norwich get back to the Premier League. All joking aside, it was one of his traits that probably made him so successful throughout his career. It is not unlike him to cause a bit of controversy. 

I will mention it to him on the show this weekend - and if Norwich can get a result, hopefully a few City supporters will phone in to remind him of it as well! 

Norwich's trip to Pride Park will see them face Paul Warne again - someone that I know well and grew up with. 

Paul and I used to play together for Horsford Boys back in the day. I was brought up there and when I was eight or nine, I played in the U12 team. We would get hammered every week. 

But when we hit the age group, we became quite good. Paul was from North Walsham, and we had some of the best players in the area at the time. We had a successful period together and Paul was an excellent player. 

He had an excellent playing career, and it's been nice to see him forge a real craft as a manager. Anybody who has managed over 400 games has done incredibly well. I've got tonnes of time for him. 

That connection we had playing in the same village team, whenever his name comes up I'm delighted to recall that story. I'm not surprised that he's done so well in management. 

Someone described him as a 'reluctant' manager, but he knows what he wants and is a strong character. You only need to look at the promotions he has achieved at Rotherham and Derby to see his success. 

It may be tough for them, but they are direct and have recruited really well. Norwich will be in for a barrage and it will be a difficult test of their progress under Johannes Hoff Thorup.