Pre-season is a time to improve fitness and gain game time. It is also a time to secure a place in City’s squad for their Premier League campaign. Whilst the Championship has no rules regarding squad numbers, the Premier League’s 25 man squad means those out of favour have to prove a point. The better players equally have to show the manager as to why their names should be making it onto match day team sheets on a regular basis.
Harry Toffolo has possibly been the most talked about player after his performances this pre-season and he has certainly become one of those that fans have been impressed by. Since his return to NR1 following a rather successful loan spell at League One club, Swindon Town, in his debut season of professional football, Toffolo has ensured he remains in manager Alex Neil’s thinking upon Martin Olsson’s return & the arrival of Robbie Brady, who can also feature as a left-back – as used during City’s 2-1 victory against Brentford. Many of City’s fans last saw Toffolo feature for the Under-18’s in the Youth Cup or for the Under-21s, Toffolo was understandably seen as a risk to take up in the Premier League – however, consistent impressive performances against City’s opponents and a goal against Cambridge United has helped win praise and reduce the likelihood of dropping back to the Under-21s squad after discovering “men’s football”. some may direct complaints towards Toffolo for errors of judgement and the unfortunate own goal against West Ham, but he has certainly not looked misplaced in City’s XI and has surely made a name for himself just in time.
As Norwich’s board are seeking more options in defence – which was proven by the arrival of Liverpool’s Andre Wisdom – one place where Norwich are certainly not lacking is their midfield, and trying to sort through the options to fill a match day squad has got slightly tougher after fans had a chance to see Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe properly since his move from Belgium in August 2014. Whilst fans have been accustomed to seeing the likes of Wes Hoolahan, Nathan Redmond, Bradley Johnson and Alex Tettey hold up City’s midfield, you cannot deny those knocking on the door and it just happens that the Belgium-born midfielder is one of those. Exciting performances against Maccabi Haifa and West Ham, along with a goal against Gorleston has ended in praise from the crowd and as long as injury doesn’t disrupt his season, City fans may be seeing what caught former manager Neil Adams’ eye to bring him to the club in the first place before.
Whilst Odjidja-Ofoe has been feeling like a new signing in City’s midfield this preseason, Youssouf Mulumbu is the new guy on the block that has seen fans questioning how on earth City were able to secure his expertise on a free transfer. Following in the same footsteps as former teammate Graham Dorrans, Mulumbu was always going to be an experienced top-flight player who would be solid in central midfield and some are even eyeing up a pairing of Alex Tettey with the former Albion man, after City’s 2-1 victory against Augsburg saw Mulumbu gain a goal and a newfound appreciation from the Yellow Army. This appreciation was later met by worry when the 28-year-old limped off the pitch in the 80th minute against Brentford. However, when fit, his link up with his teammates, either old in Dorrans and Wisdom or new with Tettey and Hoolahan, is definitely promising stuff.
On the topic on midfielders, we should not forget to mention Louis Thompson, whose games against Gorleston, Hitchin Town and Cambridge United won praise. With fans unable to catch a glimpse after the young midfielder signed for City and was loaned straight back to Swindon Town as part of the deal, there was a sense of surprise when he took to the pitch with some even unclear who this “Thompson guy” was and where he had come from. Despite his performances, his involvement with the Under-21 squad in recent weeks suggests that he will be sent out on loan to gain experience -preferably in the Championship – to eventually make the step up into the Premier League in the near future. He is, however, a prospect to keep an eye on if his performances for Swindon and during preseason are to be looked at.
The scoring department is the place where Norwich either lack or thrive during the season. Last year proved they were able to thrive – just as they had when Grant Holt led the team. With Cameron Jerome scoring 21 goals, Lewis Grabban and Gary Hooper each scoring 12 goals, it was important for them to go into preseason on similar form. Jerome’s six goals across the preseason fixtures, and four goals between Grabban and Hooper would seem to prove that they’re ready for the season ahead. However, with Jermone just recovering from injury in City’s friendly against Brentford, it was Grabban who started the game and proved by his movement, that he could succeed in the top flight. Saying this, it was Jerome’s finishing once again, which established how critical he would be for City’s Premier League campaign – he is certainly the one striker who can bully the ball off defenders and find the back of the net without too much difficulty.
Two names who fans would be hesitant to mention when it comes to striking options are Tony Andreu and Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. Where Andreu’s ability to score four goals against Gorleston and Hitchin Town respectively may lose credit due to where City’s opponents come in the English tiers, there were also glimpses during City’s anniversary game with West Ham – not enough to judge but a glimpse – and although a starting position is unlikely, there may be one or two surprises if Neil can find the Tony Andreu who scored 12 goals in the Scottish Premier League for Hamilton Academical and remained their top scorer in May, despite leaving in January. His appearance on the bench against Brentford could have given us a hint of Alex Neil’s mind-set, with the striker chosen above Hooper – an option fans wouldn’t have been keen on prior to July – but after impressing once again against the Bees, it’s becoming likely that his name won’t be disappearing off the team sheet anytime soon.
It is, however, all the same story when it comes to Ricky Van Wolfswinkel. “Loss of confidence” is undoubtedly the most used phrase to describe the 26-year-old, which sees him take on his make or break season in English football. His appearance in City’s team against Cambridge United was met by a few whispers of the ‘Wolf’ being found alive and safe, his goal was met by a slight bit of humour but questions as to whether Alex Neil has found a way to make the ‘Wolf’ scary again and whether his loan spell in France with Saint-Etienne helped find his confidence. Unfortunately, the game against West Ham last Tuesday proved this was not the case when it came to wearing the green and yellow shirt. His performance divided opinions – some have opened the door for him to leave and judged him on his ability to score, whilst others are hoping a boost of confidence will change his current form, whilst giving credit on his movement and link up play – including Neil, who credited his work ethic, his capability to “run off defenders’ shoulders, create angles and space for himself”, along with stating the importance of creating opportunities for himself.
Although, this was said before Van Wolfswinkel was dropped, alongside Hooper, for the friendly against Brentford. With the position of a striker, comes the expectancy to score goals rather than miss sitters and key opportunities – that’s the obvious description in most football minds – but nevertheless, his movement, play and effort before he shoots were faultless at times. We may never or certainly never see the striker we paid out £8.5 million for, plus bonuses, in the case of goals scored. Neil has worked wonders for the club but whether he can help the ‘Wolf’ to become fearless and threatening again rather than a laughing matter for fans in Yellow or even opposing teams, it remains to be unseen.
City’s final friendly against Brentford at Carrow Road saw Neil put his strongest team to the test before the season opener against Crystal Palace. A game full of domination and quality was matched through individual performances, with Redmond and Jermone both making huge differences since they took to the field, and with goalkeeper John Ruddy recovering from conceding in the 18th minute and pulling off a double save in the last 10 minutes of the game, and Redmond continuing his playoff and preseason form. The two most recent signings also excited fans, with Brady impressing from the first minute through his corners and deliveries matched to perfect, with even his Irish teammate, Hoolahan, singing his praises in the post-match interview. Wisdom also looked bright, providing the assist immediately after coming off the bench.
Whether the game against Brentford was any suggestion of the team we may see face Crystal Palace at Carrow Road on Saturday, Alex Neil has already declared that he’s “known his line-up for the past week”. Whether the players mentioned above have done enough to impress Alex Neil to be included in the 25 man squad, and most importantly, match day squad, it will be an interesting month. But like with any preseason, there’s been improvement, surprises, the ‘same old same old’, and sense of eagerness as the new season edges closer.
