Marcelino Nunez growing into key City role under Thorup

Given the Dane's desire for control of possession and the intricacy of his game model, Nunez felt instantly compatible with that plan. In recent weeks, it has felt like the Chilean is taking strides and growing within Thorup's system. 

For much of his Norwich career, Nunez has struggled for consistency — both in terms of game time and performance. Last season, penetrating the Kenny McLean and Gabriel Sara axis proved testing, but was something he managed towards the latter stages of the campaign. 

In flashes, he has shown his technical proficiency - be it through standout moments like a volley against Birmingham or that free kick against Ipswich, but City's style of play under previous bosses didn't extract his qualities onto Championship matches consistently enough. 

If Nunez is going to have success under Thorup at Carrow Road, then it will be about exposing him to as much of the ball as is possible. Early evidence shows that this is happening and that he is becoming a real link player for the Canaries. 

The numbers show that Nunez's impact on matches is growing and that Norwich are enjoying greater success when it comes to getting on the ball. 

Callum Doyle has received plenty of praise for his quality in possession, and rightly so, but no City player has recorded more progressive passes than Nunez's 28. In fact, only five players better that in the entire Championship. 

Only the Manchester City loanee has recorded more touches of the ball, but the fact that Nunez is a close second means they are locating his position regularly and trusting him either to take the ball in tight situations or to link the possession with Norwich's attacking talent. 

Again, the data proves it is meaningful possession. Nunez has played the most passes into the final third (nine) and the penalty area (five) of anyone in yellow and green this season in the opening four matches. 

Nunez is seeing more of the ball in Thorup's tactical system. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

It is a small data size, but it proves that his impact in possession is growing. If City can maintain it, they will enjoy more control in matches, and his passing range will allow them to connect deep spells of possession to their sources of creativity at the right moment. 

Nunez is also playing an interesting tactical role under Thorup - he is being dropped deeper in to the right of midfield during City's build up in their own half to act as support for Shane Duffy, who teams appear to be allowing possession in anticipation of an error with the ball, but his position also gives Norwich an exit route down the right from the opposite flank. 

All of this points to the importance of Nunez's role in possession. If Norwich want to continue to have control and dominate matches with high percentages of the ball, then continuing to unlock the midfielder will be critical to that process. 

With City creating 3-2-5 or 2-3-5 structures in possession so far, Nunez has been a key part of those deeper passages alongside McLean, with the other midfielder, Amankwah Forson in recent outings, moving into a more advanced role as part of the chance creation process. 

Thorup is trusting Nunez to play a key role in how City behave with the ball and has highlighted his ability to connect the game as an asset that can utilised. 

Equally, that has been married with an intense work rate out of possession, which is probably where the experiences under both Dean Smith and David Wagner have aided his work when City are defending. 

Nunez has been a key part of their pressing structure and Thorup will be keen to extract more from him, especially as sides look to counter City's technicality with an increased level of physicality. 

City's want for possession is geared to Nunez's qualities. (Image: Andy Sumner/Focus Images Ltd)

It does feel like Nunez finally has a system suited to him and a head coach who aligns with his abilities in possession. At this stage of his career, year three of his time in England, it does feel like the moment significant progress is required. 

Nunez has picked up where he carried off last season, ending the campaign positively and playing a key role in their charge to the top six. Consistency is now the name of the game - but with no Sara and a system geared to extract his best, there is no reason why he cannot elevate his game to the next level. 

In Thorup, he has a coach willing to place trust him in and a system that should enable him to flourish. 

After many false starts and difficulties with form throughout his City career, Nunez should be craving this opportunity to really leave an imprint on the Canaries' campaign.