Today’s player watch focused on 24-year-old former Werder Bremen midfielder Tom Trybull as the summer signing made his first Norwich City start in a hard-earned 1-0 Championship win over Birmingham at Carrow Road.

Norwich Evening News: Tom Trybull of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus ImagesTom Trybull of Norwich in action during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

Tom Trybull

5 – 1-0 – Timm Klose turns a cleared Mario Vrancic corner back towards goal and Nelson Oliveira slides in at the back post to put City ahead.

7 – Alex Tettey does well to hold up Sam Gallagher on the counter and Trybull gets back to help his midfield colleague clear the danger with a sturdy challenge.

17 – Jota twists away from Trybull and Oliveira midway in the City half and the Spaniard releases Maxime Colin on the right but Josh Murphy blocks for a corner which is headed clear by Oliveira.

22 – Jeremeie Boga surges towards the City box from the left but Trybull nicks possession and sets Mario Vrancic away, who finds Tettey on the right wing and his through-ball is just poked wide of the far post by Oliveira.

25 – Brave header to beat Liam Walsh to a throw-in on halfway, showing the exact attitude Daniel Farke had wanted before the game.

27 – Trybull again nicks possession as Walsh tries to come into the box from the right and plays a simple pass across to Vrancic in space.

31 – Uses his bodyweight to nudge Gallagher off the ball in the centre circle and thwart a Blues attack before it can begin.

41 – Corner breaks down but ball is returned to Jota, whose cross is blocked by the former Den Haag man.

42 – German is late on Walsh but referee allows play to go on before eventually warning him when a Norwich counter is finished by an awful shot from Tettey, perhaps lucky not to be booked.

Half-time 1-0

47 – Sliding tackle prevents David Davis from getting a shot away from 25 yards but Maddison clumsily bring down the Everton loanee, fortunately Jota bends the free-kick wide.

48 – Can’t control Klose’s header and then attempted tackle sends Jota into the box but Zimmermann clears at the second attempt.

58 – Steals possession from Sam Gallagher as he tries to burst into the box.

60 – Sliding interception in the pouring rain prevents Jason Lowe’s ball reaching Jota in midfield.

66 – Tettey tackles Jota to halt Birmingham but Trybull’s poor pass allows the Blues to counter, only for Che Adams to foul Ivo Pinto and let the hosts off the hook.

73 – Stiepermann wins back possession and Trybull sets Murphy down the left, only for the winger to over-run the ball out of play.

81 – Tenacious play to stick with Jota and make a vital block as the playmaker unleashed a low shot from just inside the area.

86 – Jota beats him on the edge of the D and Trybull pulls him back, conceding a potentially dangerous free-kick, but Boga curls a tame effort at Angus Gunn.

Full-time 1-0

Verdict: Broke up plenty of play and also directed his team-mates well, ordering around the attacking players in front of him to keep a defensive shape. Formed a defensive shield alongside Alex Tettey that was desperately needed after City’s recent problems and will be pleased with his efforts.

Rating: 7 out of 10

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