Sport Columnists

Less a first Premier League away point and a clean sheet. More a statement of intent from Norwich City.

Much as I usually rail against them, for once I've actually found an international break enjoyable rather than frustrating.

Two weeks has flown by since that shocking defeat at the hands of Aston Villa, so let's all hope it's been enough time for the lads to get that disappointing feeling out of their system and that they are raring to go on Saturday afternoon at Bournemouth.

At some point between 3pm and 5pm on October 5, I came to a realisation.

Growing up, the dream was always to be a professional footballer.

Shortly after joining Preston, Alex Neil told the Guardian: "A learning curve for me was getting to the Premier League with Norwich where I felt at times that we had to adjust our approach. Looking back, I would never do that again - I would carry on with the style that I've adopted. Now, I've got the courage of my convictions in terms of how I want my teams to play."

As international breaks go, this one couldn't have come at a better time for Norwich City. That dreadful result last weekend against Villa was one I don't think any of us saw coming.

Do not rule out a surprise or two at Norwich City from Daniel Farke the other side of this international break.

For the second time this season I am worried about the Canaries.

Nothing captured the chaotic nature of what was going on around Norwich City's penalty area against Aston Villa better than the couple of minutes that Ibrahim Amadou was forced to defend whilst wearing only one boot.

When it is good under Daniel Farke, Norwich City's football is a sweet symphony. Against Aston Villa it was just white noise.

I had a lovely morning on Thursday at Norwich City's training ground at Colney.

It was a comment on this week's online Pink Un debate about Daniel Farke needing a plan B that underlined how successful plan A has been at Norwich City.

Poor old Ralf Fahrmann.

Norwich City surely realise by now the Premier League is not all prestige and pomp. It is a brutal finishing school.

The Premier League is utterly unforgiving and if you're not at the races from the very start of a game you're going to struggle. It's a hard but important lesson that City need to learn.

I have to admit, Selhurst Park - Norwich City's next stop on the fixture list - was my least favourite away ground.

A touch ironic that in the same week a video compilation of how Norwich City beat Manchester City's press went viral, Burnley delivered the answer.

"Would you like me to turn the television off while you eat?"

If this was portrayed as a meeting between 'Beauty and the Beast' then the final outcome was Hod Carriers 2, Hipsters 0. But that would be grossly unfair to the construction workers of the world and Sean Dyche's outfit.

There's just one word to describe last Saturday's unbelievable win over champions Manchester City - WOW!

Norwich City's sporting director Stuart Webber has pledged his future to the Premier League club. Paddy Davitt assesses his growing legacy at Carrow Road.

Fan, ball boy and now a starring role for Norwich City in the best club league in the world. Todd Cantwell is on a journey of discovery. Paddy Davitt assesses why he looks so comfortable against the best of the best.

There can't be many more gratifying sights for a football supporter than seeing one of your team's players go down with cramp inside the final 10 minutes of a tense game.

This was not just a game of football. This was an assault on the senses from Norwich City.

Wow, wow, wow - and one more wow.

It's difficult not to conclude that Daniel Farke spent the summer smashing mirrors and walking under ladders.

A good few Norwich City players have been away on international duty over the last couple of week so I'm not to sure how much time Daniel Farke's had to work with the players at Colney in preparation for one of the toughest tests City will face this season when the champions Manchester City visit Carrow Road.

We've had some great defenders at our club over the years.