Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman has branded Norwich City's change of direction with Johannes Hoff Thorup as a 'gamble'. 

The Canaries opted to replace David Wagner with the Dane following their humiliating play-off defeat to Leeds United in May, with sporting director Ben Knapper prepared to make the change regardless of last season's outcome. 

Thorup was selected after a thorough recruitment process and is striving to implement a fresh style of play whilst developing a better connection with supporters than his previous predecessors. 

Goodman believes Wagner's relationship with supporters never recovered after a difficult autumn and wants to see the Canaries favour a possession-based style next season. 

"It's always a gamble changing managers, especially one who got you in the play-offs. But I don't think David Wagner's relationship with Norwich fans ever recovered after a poor start to the season," Goodman told OLBG. 

"Norwich City are always expected to be near the top-end of the Championship and, yes, it was an improvement on the previous season, but they averaged less than 50% possession across the whole campaign. That is not typical of Norwich in the Championship.

"Norwich fans want to see their team dominate the ball, supplying brilliant brilliant forwards such as Gabriel Sara, Josh Sargent and Jonathan Rowe. If they can keep those players, scoring goals will not be a problem next season. Only the top-four teams scored more goals than Norwich City last season.

"But I thought defensively they were poor, they allowed the opposition to have too much of the ball and territory. So they've decided to move in a different direction with Johannes Hoff Thorup which, as with all decisions of this ilk, is a gamble.

"Equally for David Wagner, leaving after getting Norwich City in the top-six will not have done his reputation any damage. We could be sitting here in 12 months time saying 'The grass isn't always greener,' who knows?"

Goodman predicts a more open Championship next season, which could give Norwich a chance to upset the odds. 

"Last season was one of the easiest Championship seasons to predict in terms of who would be at the top as Leeds, Leicester and Southampton all retained a plethora of Premier League-quality players. They were always going to be competing at the top end of the league.

Don Goodman has had his say on Norwich City's appointment of Johannes Hoff Thorup.Don Goodman has had his say on Norwich City's appointment of Johannes Hoff Thorup. (Image: PA Images)

"However this season I'm not so confident in the relegated clubs. You'd expect Leeds to be towards the top, with the sale of Archie Gray possibly meaning they'll be able to keep hold of the attacking force that tore apart Championship defences for 80% of the season before falling at the last hurdle.

"Then with some teams, you don't really know what to expect from them," the former Wolves, West Brom and Sunderland man said. 

"The upcoming Championship season will not be as strong as last season's, which had the best top-four that I've ever seen. That's going to give an opportunity for some teams to surprise us."