Paddy Davitt delivers his West Ham verdict after Norwich City's 2-0 Premier League defeat.

1. Shadow boxing

Norwich were committed and gave every last drop of effort. Lukasz Fabianski had to superbly claw away Adam Idah’s goalbound effort in the second half. But in truth this was a stroll for the Champions League chasing Hammers.

Jarrod Bowen was too hot to handle and with Declan Rice controlling operations from the centre of the park it always felt like when rather than if Dean Smith’s side would succumb. The quality in both boxes was lacking again.

A sixth Premier League game without scoring. A sixth Premier League game without a point to show for their considerable endeavour. There was no resignation or white flag raised, but perhaps the realisation is dawning inside as much as outside the football club Norwich need to look beyond the horizon to what lies ahead next season.

Yes, you may hear the old cliche about these games against this calibre of opposition do not define the Canaries’ top flight prospects. But given they have failed to muster the points required against those around them, there is hardly any confidence or belief that can change over the second half of the campaign.

Smith may place great store in the returns of Billy Gilmour and Mathias Normann, but the task already looks a forlorn one.

2. Terrace talk

Those hardy souls in attendance backed the men in green and yellow to the hilt. As they do home and away. Which is why Smith may be better advised not to get embroiled in worrying about any ‘sarcastic’ overtones to the noises coming from hitherto a minority. They are entitled to express their frustration at the current state of affairs.

Smith is right in stating it does nothing to help his players but as Chris Sutton pertinently pointed out in his first column for the Pinkun this week, the players have to give those fans some belief and some hope.

They have had precious little of either and if the frustration is now in some quarters turning to exasperation and perhaps anger and, yes, sarcasm, then there is only one way that changes. City’s squad must do their talking on the pitch and give the doubters some reason to believe.

3. Wide boys

Was it bold or was it desperation from Smith? Who knows but a starting line up that contained not just Idah and Teemu Pukki but also two flyers in Przemyslaw Placheta and Milot Rashica certainly hinted at a desire to address the alarming lack of league goals.

But in such a forward-thinking system, there was also a premium on both Rashica and Placheta doing their duty out of possession. Particularly against a side built to counter. West Ham’s opener was sourced from Placheta switching off to allow Aaron Cresswell free rein down the Hammers’ left to put in a deep cross recycled on the opposite flank by Vladimir Coufal. Rashica sensed the danger too late, as he attempted to close down the opposite full back who whipped in a deadly cross finished by Bowen.

Ben Gibson’s sluggish reaction in the middle of his six yard box may command greater attention, but do not overlook the role played by City’s wide men.

Whether or not Smith pointed out as much at half-time it was telling Placheta tracked Cresswell all the way to his own byline immediately after the restart, at the expense of a West Ham corner.

Both were clearly in this side to try and service City’s strikers, yet at the highest level the best in their positions understand the dual nature of the role.

Especially given Norwich posted another blank in the goals for column. By trying to address one pressing issue, Smith encountered another.

4. Keeping the faith

Smith is clearly a man of his word. Only days after he pledged Idah’s chance would come around again he was included in a four-pronged attacking line up.

It was not just Max Aarons celebrating a personal milestone. This was Idah’s 50th City appearance, but the fact it was only his third league start since an FA Cup hat-trick two years ago at Preston underlined the crossroads he is at that Smith alluded to in the build up.

Idah has too much potential to be sat warming benches. Pukki has been a role model and an immovable object but, as Smith conceded, the lack of attacking options below the Finn, and the poor productivity from this Norwich squad in the final third, closes the door on a January loan exit which perhaps is what Idah needs.

But the Republic of Ireland international also has to look himself in the mirror. Has he done enough with previous opportunities at the highest level? That top flight start at Tottenham was notable for some eye-catching glimpses but also a horrid close range miss. Here, more evidence he has the tools to trouble Premier League defenders in some first half runs in behind.

Then a superb strike in the 68th minute Fabianski diverted against a post, after he slalomed his way past two defenders. So close to a goal that would mean so much. That is what City desperately need, and Idah must offer if he is to change the script.

5. Read the room

Those video assistant referees are a heartless bunch. This was no way for Aarons to mark his 150th senior appearance for the club barely a week beyond his 22nd birthday. A VAR over-rule adjudged the defender had played Bowen onside to slot his, and West Ham’s second goal.

But what an achievement nonetheless. Two Championship titles, established as a Premier League right back and England Under-21 international, and right now City’s most saleable asset. That last point may, in time, become the most important.

Smith reiterated on Tuesday what was pretty evident the moment Bali Mumba departed on loan for Peterborough last week.

Aarons is here for the rest of what remains of this current January window, barring the type of firm interest and head-turning figures that have seen him touted with some of Europe’s finest since he burst onto the scene.

Should City stumble back to the Championship for a second time in his young career it looks inevitable Aarons will not follow them south.

To have amassed this level of first team experience, allied to the talent and natural athletic ability, plus the temperament to not only handle Daniel Farke’s original show of faith but stay focused despite endless transfer speculation since, illustrates Aarons is a class act.

And he will only get better in the right environment and at the right club who can help him fulfil his undoubted potential. When he does go, you can be sure he will go with the best wishes of Norwich fans. His is the right way to plot a young career.

Do the business on the park and the rest will follow. Others could take note.