Norwich City: Johannes Hoff Thorup project at crossroads

The Dane became Norwich City head coach in May with the objective of change: change in style of play, change in squad make-up, change in fan mood and, eventually, change in results.

Fans were braced for a difficult season. They remembered the transitional days of Daniel Farke's first year at Carrow Road, the bore draws, the slow passing, the player acclimatisation and times when they wondered what had happened to their club.

Those teething problems were a natural part of such a significant overhaul, they thought, and were bound to repeat themselves in what would be a tricky 2024-25 campaign.

But until the October international break there was very little of that indeed. Park the opening day loss to Oxford United and what they saw in the main was free flowing football, a team they connected with and promising young players who took immediately to Thorup's style of play.

That was what was underwhelming, but they didn't mind it one bit. Like a pedestrian narrowly swerved by a cyclist or a rugby player who managed to dodge a tackle, they were spared the body blow they expected, and sweet relief matched the joy his football brought.

But with an injury crisis thrown into the mix and results going awry, in autumn they're starting to get what they predicted.

It was plain sailing for the Canaries until October (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) That's why, perhaps for the first time, the new era is somewhat at a crossroads. Its leader must decide whether to proceed with the route as planned or change course to combat the speed bumps that have arisen.

One way that manifests is formation, with most of his best available players in defence and few of them in midfield. Many supporters and pundits have called for a back five, but he's stuck with his trademark 4-3-3.

His tactical demands have been another challenge, with early season combinations gone and fluid passing play diminished as a result. He virtually admitted as much in his pre-Bristol City press conference, saying: "We don't necessarily have the relations on the pitch where players know each other and can just open up a defensive side."

Even down to personnel he's been limited, with a goalkeeper in George Long less commanding than Angus Gunn and a striker in Ante Crnac with almost entirely different qualities to Josh Sargent.

He's persevered, however, and that's that good news for the long-term prosperity of this new direction. If there is a crossroads then he's taken the difficult turn, hoping for a reward somewhere in the distance.

Thorup and his team know the importance of the long term (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) He does understand the importance of the short term, though, and he won't just throw the towel in while he waits to reap the benefits. For now it's about simply making it through the toughest tests and improving as much as possible in the meantime.

"It's always a balance because we still have to have the results with us while we are building something," the 35-year-old told the Pink Un before travelling to Sheffield on Monday. "At the moment, the next couple of games, it's for us not to go too far in our development and maybe to stay where we are and make sure that everyone is comfortable with what they are doing. I think that's where we are as a team now."

Patience will be required, but there have been no nervous considerations of reshuffling from Thorup. There is hope that the lofty heights of entertaining football and possession-based dominance can be achieved again, but the aim is for that to be sustained rather than because of a quick fix.

In the immediate future fans will be forced to put up with the sort of struggles they foresaw during pre-season, but those rewards could be well worth it based on what they saw just a few weeks ago.