Norwich City v Hull City: Championship tactical preview

The line-up

After Johannes Hoff Thorup finally appeared to find his best team, it wouldn't be the Championship grind without a serious fitness doubt to throw into the mix.

Jose Cordoba's knee injury on Tuesday hangs like a dark cloud over starting XI predictions all over Norfolk, with the dynamic significantly changed by the Panamanian's half-time substitution against Leeds.

His exclusion would likely mean another left-back stint for Kellen Fisher, which would be no bad thing based on his display against the Whites. But it would also mean Callum Doyle's attacking potential being limited and another tactical change in the right-back role. It would mean the loss of a defender whose pace, power and passing have quickly become a staple of City's good form.

Jose Cordoba's fitness is key to Thorup's team selection (Image: Andy Sumner/Focus Images Ltd) That's why the Dane will be desperate to have his centre-back available, but it's not the only fitness issue he's grappling with. In his pre-Leeds press conference he guarded against worries over a Saturday-Tuesday combination, but admitted that the third game in a week can be a test.

Apply that logic to recently-recovered Anis Ben Slimane and the midfield debate is alive again, despite a positive performance from the Tunisian in midweek. That could open the door to Oscar Schwartau or Amankwah Forson, and the same problem could complicate things in other areas.

The opposition

It was a slow start to the season for Hull, but they've certainly found their groove now. They arrive at Carrow Road on the back of three consecutive league wins, consisting of 10 goals combined and boosting their league position significantly.

That's thanks in large part to their new style under Walter, who's quickly navigated those teething problems to create a dangerous and effective Tigers team.

The underlying numbers prove just how good they've been, and hint at the nature of Walter's tactics. They've conceded nine goals in their eight Championship games, but are fourth in the division for touches in the final third, fifth for possession and third for take-ons attempted. Add to that their status as the league's second-greatest through ball users and the philosophy is clear: attack, attack, attack.

The Tigers have been in good form (Image: PA)

That's what Walter was brought to Humberside for, and it's been achieved using similar methods to his teams at Stuttgart and Hamburg. Key to his side's impressive ball progression has been an unconventional pattern of movement, with players going into areas that often seem illogical or dangerous.

They're backed up, however, by a system of rotation that means as much space as possible is covered while confusing opponents and moving them around. Often central midfielders end up at centre-back and centre-backs end up in central midfield, with their counterparts flummoxed as to who they should follow.

It's an effective setup, but it isn't without its flaws. Chief among them is vulnerability to a high press, with Walter still lacking the players to guarantee risk-free playing from the back. Cardiff often had a chance to exploit their hosts when they made the journey last weekend, but failed to capitalise.

The tactics

City will relish the opportunity to examine that weakness, with high pressing a tenet of Thorup's possession-based game. He's already made a habit of asking his team to push higher, and of expressing his disappointment when they retreat too deep.

He'll encourage his players to forget their fears and defend from the front when Hull are in deep possession, looking both to create opportunities and limit passes into dangerous areas.

But they'll have to be switched on to do so, with strong communication and quick thinking needed against those rotations. If they aren't strong enough in the tackle or sharp enough in their thinking they'll be two steps behind, leaving gaps that the visitors will willingly take advantage of.

With the one-on quality of Hull's creative players they'll also have to remain attentive at the other end, the full-backs timing their interventions well and staying tight. The left-back (whether that's Fisher or Doyle) will have to be especially alert, with Bachir Belloumi a serious threat from the right wing.

The verdict

Hull present tough opposition, there's no doubt about that. But if Norwich can stay switched on, react quickly and adapt tactically then they'll make the game about their strengths. If they manage to do that, given current form, the advantage will be with the hosts.