Johannes Hoff Thorup: Norwich boss resigned to Gabriel Sara sale

Having come from 2-0 down to draw with Hoffenheim in their previous game, Norwich found themselves 3-0 down at half-time against St Pauli, and although Jonathan Rowe pulled one back, they could not reduce the deficit further.

“In some moments of the game, the performance was at a very high level, especially at the beginning of the match, and then in some moments of the game it was too low level. We have to find that balance,” said Thorup.

“We have to be sharper, we have to be better, both positionally but also in the individual decisions in these moments. We were too slow in our execution and were a little bit surprised that they came hard in their pressing, and we have to do better.”

Colombian defender Jose Cordoba, signed last month from Bulgarian club Levski Sofia, was again not involved.

Thorup added: “These guys that play for international teams, it’s a little bit tricky for them because we have to find some holiday time for them as well (as pre-season).

“We can see now that we have to build him up a little bit more. Hopefully he can be ready for Saturday. But we have to respect that he’s not fully fit at the moment.”

Norwich start the new campaign with a lunchtime trip to promoted Oxford United on Saturday, having lost to former boss Daniel Farke’s Leeds United in last season’s play-offs, which led to the departure of head coach David Wagner.