Norwich City 1-2 Millwall: Paddy Davitt Championship points

Paddy Davitt delivers his Millwall verdict from Norwich City’s opening day 2-1 Championship defeat.

1. Lion tamer

The last person Liam Manning needed to see in the opposite dug out on his first real day of reckoning was Alex Neil.

A summer that brought the 10th anniversary of Neil’s march to Wembley at the head of an unstoppable green and yellow train brought another reminder of his ability to build a side who relish a scrap, and the battle for those Championship hard yards.

Johannes Hoff Thorup found that out to his cost last season. Much has changed since but Manning’s new look team found the same obdurate streak in the Lions.

Too early, much too early, for any definitive conclusions on the new personnel. But the likes of Vladan Kovacevic and Jakov Medic will now know what this league is likely to throw up on a routine basis, as Millwall’s muscular approach probed for weakness in the City rearguard.

Mathias Kvistgaarden was a livewire in a second half cameo that hopefully bodes well as Manning’s rebuild takes shape in the weeks and months ahead.

The atmosphere at kick-off was electric. The riot of colour the perfect backdrop to the ovation afforded Norfolk’s European Champion, Lauren Hemp. But City served up a damp squib. The lack of attacking threat in the second half amplifying the defensive jitters. Manning knew what he was walking into, and he also knows the scale of the task ahead.

The new man both looked, and spoke, with a visible air of frustration in his post-match media. There will be no short cuts.

2. Happy Sarge Day

Four years to the day Josh Sargent joined Norwich City, and he really is as important as ever. Which given the transfer dance with Wolfsburg earlier this summer, and the overhang of the back end of the window may send a chill through every Canaries’ fan.

When Norwich have needed the rampaging forward in Championship circles he has by and large delivered.

After Camiel Neghli had rifled Millwall in front, following a sluggish start to the second period, who else but Sargent dragging his side back on level terms when he charged down Steven Benda’s clearance.

Manning was coy about who would wear the captain’s armband ahead of this seasonal opener, in the absence of Kenny McLean. Whether the Missourian had the honour or not his leadership and influence among this group of footballers is beyond question.

In 98 second tier appearances prior to this game he had notched 44 league goals. That is a phenomenal return for a club who have treaded water in the intervening period. That is why Sargent remains a prized commodity.

But the manner he barrelled his way through the Lions’ backline on numerous occasions graphically illustrated no-one should remotely question his desire or his commitment to the cause. As Manning made clear to his star striker, when he indicated a potential Bundesliga return did not grab him a few weeks ago, Sargent should concentrate on his football, and the rest will slot into place.

This was not the performance of a player beset by distractions, or what next in his career. City fans should savour the best number nine in this division at work.

3. A dash of Mirko

A project 12 months and more in the making meant no time to waste in fast-tracking Mirko Topic into Manning’s Norwich starting line up.

Not even a week on from his official unveiling before the Serbian leapfrogged Marcelino Nunez and co to partner Jacob Wright in central midfield.

Manning has spoken generally this summer in terms of the blending process interwoven into City’s targeted recruitment.

Not only about sourcing upgrades to the players he inherited from Thorup but also a profile of addition that can trigger a positive uplift on those around them.

Arguably there is no more important a relationship in this Manning set up than his central midfield axis. Players like Jason Knight and Max Bird were key to his Bristol City side grabbing a play-off spot last season. That Topic and Wright pairing looks like a vital ingredient if he is to repeat that feat at Carrow Road.

Much has been made of the Serbian’s physical attributes, following his arrival, but there was an ease in possession and a clever use of a body swerve to drift away from Millwall markers and find space in a congested area of the park.

One driving first half run also hinted at his attacking ambition, before a perfectly-timed shovel for Ante Crnac that came to nothing on this occasion. He was eventually replaced by Nunez to generous applause ahead of the final quarter.

Wright was the shining light in last season’s prolonged downturn, and his permanent move from Manchester City hailed as an early statement of intent. But Topic could unlock an extra dimension in Wright’s development, if the duo can quickly find the same wavelength.

4. Bench press

Manning had the luxury of turning to a bench to introduce the likes of headline summer signing, Kvistgaarden, and Nunez. Papa Amadou Diallo was kept in reserve on this occasion.

Contrast that level of reinforcement with the most testing spells last season when Manning’s predecessor had no choice on occasion but to pack his bench with raw youth.

Shane Duffy, Anis Ben Slimane and Brad Hills were not in the matchday squad and in all probability look part of the thinning out process the City boss has indicated is likely to become the focus on what remains in this summer trading window.

Kvistgaarden looked an immediate penalty box threat with his first move to the near post to try and connect with a Sargent centre.

Nunez was unable to conjure the accuracy of his final day Cardiff free kick, back in May, when he whipped an effort wide. Manning then gave new Lincoln recruit, Jovon Makama, his debut after Langstaff had put the Lions back in front in a late bid to get back on level terms.

Makama is one for the future but the main thrust of City’s work in the market has been designed to equip Manning’s squad with more ready made options.

As such, the lack of depth could not be offered as a factor in an opening day false start against a well-oiled Millwall that underlined perhaps the task facing Manning will not be a quick fix.

Click here to read article