After learning that Derby County head coach Paul Warne supports the Canaries, Norwich City manager Johannes Hoff Thorup demonstrated his sense of humour.
The two clubs will face battle at Pride Park tomorrow at lunchtime, with the Rams hoping to retain their outstanding home record. Warne’s squad has a perfect home record in the Championship, having not conceded a single goal in victories over Middlesbrough, Bristol City, or Cardiff.
However, that will be tested again tomorrow by a Norwich side coming off a 4-1 thrashing of Watford the previous Saturday. And the Canaries’ visit is especially significant for Warne, who is a self-proclaimed Norwich supporter. Thorup quipped in his news conference today, “Let’s see how big a fan he is tomorrow!
“We have to make sure we change their home record.” It’s a formidable team, and being a little slow can get us in trouble. “They excel at counter-attacks and set-pieces.”
Warne remarked of playing Norwich: “I played against Norwich as a player many times and managed against them numerous times. It’s probably more exciting for family. Most of my pals are Norwich fans, as are my aunts and cousins, who were season ticket holders. I wasn’t because my father played non-league football, so I’d go watch him play every weekend and kick in the nets at halftime!
“I got to go to the occasional Norwich game, which I really enjoyed. I went to the movies to see Escape to Victory, and it was the nicest birthday I’ve ever had! All of my family and best friend live in Norwich, so seeing the fixtures gives me a lot of motivation.”
