Norwich Coach Thorup Credits Sainz’s Improvement to “Little Bit Extra” Work

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup attributes Borja Sainz’s exceptional start to the current season to the player’s commitment to self-improvement. Sainz has already surpassed his 2023-24 goal tally by three goals this season. The Spanish forward scored two goals during Sunday’s 3-3 tie against Middlesbrough, elevating his seasonal goal count to 11 across 14 matches. This performance has positioned the 23-year-old as a prominent topic of discussion among players outside the Premier League. Speaking to BBC Radio Norfolk, Thorup stated, “For him to execute, it’s about quality, but he is training every day on his finishing.” He further elaborated on Sainz’s dedication, adding, “We had three games in seven days but he’s always there to do a little bit extra and it’s up to me and the performance staff to pull him in. That’s what it takes to be up there and he can see the benefits of doing that.” Thorup also commented on the team’s contribution, saying, “What we can do as a team is create some patterns so he gets into these positions and then, of course, high quality from him when he can execute like that.” In the first half, Sainz scored against Middlesbrough’s goalkeeper Seny Dieng from a central spot 25 yards away from the goal. Later, in the second half, after failing to convert a simpler opportunity, he moved in from the left side and delivered an unstoppable shot into the far corner. Sainz commenced his professional career in his native country with Alaves, subsequently playing in Turkish football for Giresunspor prior to his move to the Canaries in the summer of 2023. Norwich secured a point against Middlesbrough by recovering from a 3-1 deficit. This followed a similar comeback in their preceding match against Preston, where they also drew after overcoming a two-goal disadvantage, a game in which Sainz likewise found the net. Sainz commented on his scoring achievement, stating, “It’s good (to be top scorer), but the most important thing is the team.” He added, “I am so happy here with the team and the staff and I work every day to stay like this.” This outcome extended Norwich’s undefeated streak in home matches to 11 months. Norwich’s upcoming fixture is an away game against Cardiff City on Saturday, as the team aims to advance into the top six from its current eighth-place standing.