For Onel Hernandez to play a larger role in Norwich City’s starting lineup, he must be in peak condition.
In the 2-1 Championship loss at Sunderland, the 31-year-old was selected for his first league start under Thorup and his first since February 2024.
Before he was replaced by Oscar Schwartau, Hernandez was placed in the centre of Wearside’s attacking three.
A select few senior players are nearing the end of their current Carrow Road contracts, including the Cuban international.
He has been working hard to earn a starting spot. The City head coach stated, “I’ve told him since day one that he needs to get fitter so he’s more available and we can use him even more.” Naturally, he subsequently sustained an injury that prevented him from playing for several weeks.
“I believe he’s going to make a comeback and that his strength, physique, and final line technique will benefit the squad.
We were aware of Sunderland’s intense pressing style and man-to-man tactics. Therefore, we required a player in the middle who could control and keep the ball. In fact, I believe it was quite near that.
After 15 minutes of play, we had a wonderful situation and a good chance. He just held on to it and was on the verge of finding Borja (Sainz) outside. We chose to put Onel in that role for that very reason.
In the see-saw struggle to secure a start at right back, Jack Stacey was chosen over Kellen Fisher.
“We needed Jack to bring in some crosses a bit more and to be on the last line a little bit more.” Thus, it had to do with shifting positions,” Thorup explained. “Kellen has been more inverted for us thus far this season, but I believe he can also assume that role in the future.
However, Jack is currently our go-to player when we need crosses down the right side and need to use a winger that is more inside and connected to our striker. Thus, those are the options we consider week after week and game after game.
