From injuries to a concern over a lack of muscle in the defensive midfield position, our Canaries correspondent Connor Southwell takes the temperature on the terraces as City pause for breath in the international break.

It has been a complex week in the Canary nation.

Once again, the narrative has been dominated by those operators occupying the treatment rooms rather than those currently on the pitch, with Norwich City's injury crisis more pertinent than ever after the 5-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Carrow Road.

Supporters have also been discussing the defensive midfield position, with concerns over the ease at which Aston Villa dismantled City's defensive shape a worry.

Naturally, that concern regarding the Canaries defensive ability is widespread throughout the fanbase, with plenty offering potential solutions including Ibrahim Amadou being placed at defensive midfield.

Here is this week's talk from the terrace...

The Pink Un: Alex Tettey is one of several players City boss Daniel Farke will be looking to get back over the international break. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesAlex Tettey is one of several players City boss Daniel Farke will be looking to get back over the international break. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Injuries

Any discussion surrounding the Canaries' current fortunes can be caveated with the extensive and relentless nature of the injury list at present. It's forming a significant part of current City discourse, with 11 of Daniel Farke's squad currently sidelined. In that regard, it's difficult to dissect the performances on display because of the depleted nature of Farke's squad currently.

A crucial part of debate this week has been surrounding whether the problems run deeper and whether the injury crisis is acting as a mask, merely covering up their flaws.

This international break could prove pivotal in providing the Canaries campaign with some much-needed uplift, with the sole aim during this break being to ensure several of those injured players return to action ahead of Bournemouth.

Considering that, to date, City have no fit centre-backs in their ranks after Ben Godfrey's hernia operation, their defensive woes on the pitch can't come as too much of a surprise. Godfrey is expected to be fit to face the Cherries later in the month, but the majority of City supporters are relishing the moment whereby these column inches and conversations aren't dominated by the latest injury news.





Defensive midfield

Pertinent on Saturday was the Canaries lack of presence in midfield. The ease in which Villa exploited pockets of space proved detrimental to their chances of reducing the scoreline and ensuring they were competitive within the game.

The manner of that performance thrusts the position of defensive midfield back into the spotlight - with suggestions that City have lacked a capable screener for the back four since their Premier League return amplified after a poor defensive offering.

Theoretically, that was due to be the role occupied by Sevilla loanee Ibrahim Amadou when he joined the club on loan in the summer, in reality, the threadbare defensive set-up has meant the Frenchman has had to occupy a less natural central defensive position.

Less convincing displays have proceeded a wonderful performance against Manchester City, with his deployment in that position coming down to necessity rather than choice. Alex Tettey did perform well in that role, but there remains doubts surrounding the consistency of his fitness.





Making the case for Akin

Akin Famewo's inclusion in the matchday squad last Saturday left many City supporters questioning whether it was time to bed the young central defender into the starting XI.

Prior to that fixture, Steve Weaver was speaking at a Norwich City Fans Social Club event and suggested Famewo's period at the club has been geared towards improving the technical side to his game.

Education in the lower leagues left Famewo with some bad habits; Weaver was keen to stress the importance of the U23 side and how their work is important to instilling the philosophy of the club into those young players. Famewo is another product of the Luton Town academy and is occupying the same football development path as that of Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons.

If Godfrey's recovery from his hernia injury isn't as rapid as initially hoped, then Famewo could offer a credible option for Farke at Dean Court, especially if Grant Hanley fails to return from his reoccurring groin problem. Farke has given youth prospects opportunities throughout his reign to date, could Famewo be the next to be handed a first-team shirt?





The Pink Un: Ibrahim Amadou is yet to feature in his natural defensive midfield position. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdIbrahim Amadou is yet to feature in his natural defensive midfield position. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: Paul Chesterton)