Norwich City wrapped up their ten-day pre-season camp in the Netherlands with scrimmages against Olympiacos and ADO Den Haag on Friday afternoon, and it’s clear that new boss Liam Manning still has plenty to work on before the real thing begins in two weeks’ time.
With Manning’s playing squad divided into two separate groups for Friday’s encounters, the English coach fielded a noticeably youthful side for the lunchtime meeting with the Greek giants.
Olympiacos, who themselves fielded a rather experienced side, ran out comfortable 3-0 victors in Vlaardingen, a suburb of Rotterdam. Turkish forward Yusuf Yazıcı, Ukrainian talisman Roman Yaremchuk, and then Giulian Biancone all got their names on the scoresheet as the Canaries struggled all afternoon to piece together anything really resembling a dangerous attacking move.
It was then time for Manning and his coaching staff to head ten miles north of the Netherlands’ second city to The Hague, where a near-eventless 0-0 stalemate was soon to play out.
This time, Manning opted for a much stronger starting eleven, but once again his team huffed and puffed to no avail in attack as a first clean sheet of pre-season provided little encouragement.
It was a disappointing end to why had proved an underwhelming European camp, with these results coming six days after two 1-1 ties to Eredivisie new boys Volendam and Belgian Pro League outfit Zulte Waregem.
As a result, Norwich head into their final pre-season fixtures next week and their opening Sky Bet Championship encounter with Millwall on Saturday 9th August with much still to answer for.
-
Preferred eleven (mostly) nailed down
The two starting elevens fielded by Manning on Friday couldn’t have been more polarised.
Only a handful of senior players were involved against Olympiacos, with most of those being touted for a move away from Carrow Road either on loan or permanently. In fact, only young attackers Matěj Jurásek and Oscar Schwartau stand a likely chance of breaking into Manning’s optimal lineup.
The Englishman’s lineup for the trip to The Hague, however, did resemble more of a first-choice group of players who will be called upon in the opening weeks of the Championship season, and that’s why the eventual performance was so underwhelming.
With new signings Mathias Kvistgaarden, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Papa Amadou Diallo all still yet to debut in yellow and green, Norwich fans will hope some much-needed energy will soon be injected into what have seemed five very laboured pre-season performances under Manning.
-
Lack of creativity in midfield
Even the Olympiacos test aside, no-one in the Norwich midfield showed much capability to open up the opposition defence with an incisive pass.
This is something the Canaries struggled with last season following the sale of fan-favourite midfielder Gabriel Sara, even if countless long-range strikes from the likes of Borja Sainz hid the fact the creativity was at a low.
Chilean international Marcelino Núñez is certainly capable of unlocking defences, but his performances are far too hit-and-miss. On Friday evening he rarely broke out of a stroll in and out of possession, but he wasn’t the worst midfielder offender of the day as Anis Ben Slimane lazily surrendered possession on countless occasions earlier against the Greek giants.
With Danish midfielder Pelle Mattsson heavily touted to be Manning’s next incoming, it is clear Norwich’s recruitment team are currently eyeing someone to strengthen the Canaries’ defensive structure. Perhaps, though, a more forward-thinking option is still required.
-
No medic needed in defence
For years Norwich have been crying out for a dependable option at centre-back, and confidence that recent addition Jakov Medić can be that man is growing.
Arriving from Ajax last month, the Croatian looked impressively assured partnering Shane Duffy and Harry Darling in central defence. He loves flying into challenges, and at six foot three he is very capable at winning aerial duals against the meanest of strikers.
Of course, Medić is still yet to prove his credentials in the Championship, and a potential battle with the formidable Mihailo Ivanović on the opening day of the season is sure to prove a barometer of just how good he can be for the Canaries.
-
Sarge stays… for now
American striker Josh Sargent has seemed set for departure all summer, but his recent rejection of a move to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg has got some Norwich fans dreaming, if not convinced, their prized asset will stay put at least until January.
Sargent even captained the side against Den Haag, with Manning praising his striker’s attitude after the conclusion of the game.
"He competed, he led, and the last ten days his impact on and off the pitch has been fantastic,” the English boss said.
Whether the 25-year-old will still be a Norwich player in two weeks’ time is still up in the air, but it certainly seems that the team’s aspirations of finally making their Premier League return hinges on another prolific goalscoring season from their American boy.
-
Ken Aboh a bright spark
If Sargent does ultimately depart the Norfolk side for pastures new, there will be a gaping, American-sized hole left in Norwich’s attack.
New man Kvistgaarden would be in line to take his place, and the Dane has a proven goalscoring track record at former club Brøndby.
Nevertheless, a total lack of depth at striker has cost Norwich dearly in far too many recent campaigns gone by. Another attacking option will be needed if Sargent leaves, but academy star Ken Aboh certainly proved his credentials on Friday.
His willingness to run in behind and press the Olympiacos defence stood out as Norwich’s attack otherwise failed to create, and was noticeably vocal and encouraging of his teammates.
The 20-year-old impressed with a pre-season goal against Northampton Town last campaign, but was sent out on two near-fruitless League Two loans as he wasn’t awarded the Championship minutes he felt he deserved.
This time around, Aboh will hope to gain the trust of his new manager and prove his worth at Championship level. Sargent’s departure may well be his only path into Manning’s plans as things stand, though.
