Hwang Ui-jo would have thought about his first start in England for a prolonged period of time - but the South Korean wouldn't have anticipated it to unravel in the manner it did.
After joining Norwich City on Deadline Day, Hwang has had to be patient for his opportunity whilst grappling with David Wagner's style of play and how he would fit into it.
Hwang was City's first-choice to sign after Josh Sargent's ankle injury, and the expectation was that he would be able to hit the ground running owing to a full pre-season at parent club Nottingham Forest.
With Ashley Barnes joining Sargent on the treatment table, Norwich are hoping that Hwang and Adam Idah can step up to the plate and deliver the goals required to keep them in the conversation for the top six in their absence.
Hwang's opening two appearances have both been late introductions from the bench in trying conditions. The first against Stoke came as Norwich were attempting to see out the contest and versus Leicester when they were chasing the game.
A start against Plymouth was the first real chance for the striker to prove himself at Norwich - Hwang flattered to deceive.
He was outmuscled and lightweight at points but operated on the periphery of the game. He couldn't link the play as Norwich required and looks less suited to that role in Wagner's side that requires him to drop deeper to create a box midfield.
There were flashes of technical potential, but it was an afternoon where Plymouth's back three got the better of Hwang.
The South Korean's best moment of the afternoon arrived when Gabby Sara found him with a sumptuous pass inside the box. Hwang poked the ball at goal but goalkeeper Conor Hazard was equal to the effort.
If Hwang wants to become a more regular part of City's side, then he will need to learn quickly. Adapting to the physicality of the Championship and understanding the role he is being deployed in will be pivotal in the weeks ahead.
There has been little to offer encouragement that he can be a viable Sargent understudy in his absence. The fact he was replaced as half-time shows Wagner and his coaching team were less than impressed with his contribution.
He will likely be handed another chance in a much-changed City side in their midweek Carabao Cup clash against Fulham. It will need to be a performance where he takes a step forward and offers some encouragement.
It is far too early to offer a real judgement on Hwang's capabilities, but even he would feel there needs to be more to come to turn this loan into a real success.
For Norwich, the question remains how best to structure their side to ensure it is capable of hurting teams in the way they did in August with Sargent and Barnes combining nicely.
Wagner has trialled Liam Gibbs in a secondary striker role, but that did pay off against Leicester. He has also suggested the likes of Przemek Placheta and Marcelino Nunez could fill in if required.
City's boss preference is to play with a front two to carry out the high-pressing approach he wants his teams to carry out - but a more pragmatic solution may be required to navigate what could be tricky weeks ahead.
Norwich possessed a better structure in the second half of the Home Park humiliation when Sara was pushed into a more advanced position behind Adam Idah, with the pair combining for their opening goal of the afternoon.
That may be the key to unlocking Sara's attacking capabilities and making Norwich more threatening and cohesive from an offensive perspective, but would leave Hwang needing to make an impact from the bench.
Adam Forshaw offered a more calming presence in midfield alongside Kenny McLean and that may provide the blueprint for how Wagner moves forward after this defeat in Devon.
Idah's brace will keep Hwang behind the Irishman in the pecking order and reiterates that there is plenty of learning for him still to do.
VERDICT: A tough first start for the South Korean forward, who was outmuscled and struggled to get himself into the game. Saw his only chance smothered by Conor Hazard and lost Lewis Gibson in the lead up to their second goal.
RATING: 4 out of 10
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