Paddy delivers his verdict on Johannes Hoff Thorup’s first Championship game at Oxford, which was overshadowed by Jon Rowe’s absence.

• Angus Gunn            5

Stood up tall to shovel away Przemyslaw Placheta’s rising shot on the angle and went full length to deal with a skimming effort from Will Vaulks.

Just before that got away with a wayward clearance to the same midfielder, who curled just wide as he raced back towards his own goal. Cameron Brannagan’s deflected shot looped up and against his bar, but later beaten by the power and accuracy of a strike from the same player. Let Mark Harris’ first half shot squirm through his legs.

• Jack Stacey            6

Good anticipation to mop up the rebound after Angus Gunn parried from Vaulks, with Placheta in the vicinity. One burst carved out a clear first half chance for Borja Sainz, who smacked a half-volley wide.

One or two attacking forays in the final quarter. Best chance was when he arrived late in the box, but his strike clipped Joe Bennett and spiralled away for a corner following Adam Idah’s persistence.

• Grant Hanley           4

Appeared to lose his bearings running into the channel, with Harris on his blindside for company, but when his glancing header dropped towards his own box he tumbled to the floor as the striker skated around Shane Duffy to slot underneath Gunn.

Hesitant in possession and replaced early in the second half. Cut a frustrated figure as he departed.

• Shane Duffy            5

Committed himself too easily for Harris to swerve around, after getting the better of Grant Hanley. Passing improved as the game developed. But there was a period in the middle of the first half when that lack of a natural left-sided balance stunted the build up play, as Doyle  strived to offer width.

• Callum Doyle          5

Tough gig for his debut. Barely had any time to train with his new team mates. Couple of instances when he appeared to demand more support from Sainz, with Oxford overloading his flank. Failed to get out quickly enough to Sam Long to stop the cutback swept home by the unmarked Brannagan.

• Kenny McLean        5

Unusually sloppy in possession and seemed off the pace as he was closed down by Oxford midfielders in those tight pockets where Thorup wants to progress the ball. May feel he could have pressed with more intensity in the build up to Brannagan’s second.

• Liam Gibbs             5

Same issues as McLean in possession. Possibly might point to the lack of available options further ahead. But Thorup had clearly seen enough with a half-time removal.

Tough for the former Ipswich youngster to stamp his authority after an injury-hit end to the previous campaign, and limited game time in his natural position. But may find Amankwah Forson a difficult obstacle to overcome.

• Marcelino Nunez     5

Could be such an important player in this Thorup template to help move City through the middle of the park with pace, purpose and precision.

But like his fellow central midfielders caught on occasion by the intensity and aggressive of the home press. One turnover saw Harris hunt down Jack Stacey, in a shooting chance for Placheta.

• Christian Fassnacht           4

Unexpected call up after Rowe removed himself from selection, but the Swiss lacked sharpness beyond one or two moments when he connected with the overlapping Stacey.

A player who got limited minutes to impress during pre-season, after missing the early friendlies with fitness related issues. One finds it is hard to make a case for him playing a meaningful role under the Dane.

• Josh Sargent          5

Had to feel plenty of sympathy given the fitful nature of City’s bid to move the ball into the final third. Did not get any of the service he craves down the channels to turn defenders and use his athleticism and power to get a sight of goal. Booked into the bargain for leaving a calling card on Bennett.

Did perk up when Idah was on the pitch to offer some muscular support, but not able to time his runs for the Irishman’s darts down the left.

Another City player who has been the subject of transfer interest earlier in the summer, and it would not come as any surprise if he attracts more admirers between now and August 30.

• Borja Sainz                    5

Miscued the best chance in the first half for Norwich from Stacey’s chip. Another shot was blocked as he was crowded out. Some intelligent movements but not found by his team mates.

Coughed up cheap possession in the 43rd minute in a move that ended with Harris rising unmarked to loop a head over. Faded completely out of it after the break.

Subs

• Amankwah Forson (for Gibbs, 46)                    6

Very encouraging second half cameo. Interestingly, Thorup revealed afterwards he had seriously debated starting the 21-year-old, after just one training session following his move from Austria. Poise on the ball, good balance, drive and dynamism.

Key block to deflect Brannagan’s looping effort against the bar. Did achieve the rare feat of actually testing Oxford stopper Jamie Cumming in the 81st minute, when he cut in on his left with a low, angled strike. Could be a nice balance in prospect down that left hand side with Doyle and Sainz.

• Jacob Sorensen (for Hanley, 61)                                5

Slotted into that central defensive station he was tried a lot in pre-season.

• Adam Idah (for Fassnacht, 61)                         6

In contrast to Rowe, Idah was selected and added some thrust in a second half cameo despite his proposed move to Celtic edging ever closer. Couple of occasions he got inside the full back down the left but cut backs evaded Sargent, although Stacey turned one into a shooting chance.

Could it be his final appearance for the club, if the protracted chase from the Bhoys ends in a successful conclusion this coming week?

• Abu Kamara (for Nunez, 76)                     n/a

Tried on the right but limited chance to impress. Another who continues to be linked with a summer exit, after a pre-season spent largely on the margins, following his impressive role in Portsmouth’s League One triumph.

• Gabe Forsyth (for Sainz, 90)                   n/a

Not the result but a day to remember for the Scottish teenager making his professional debut for the club. Clearly one who has passed muster so far with Thorup, given his sustained first team exposure during pre-season before he was ruled out of the St Pauli finale with a slight fitness issue.