It’s time for Daniel Farke-watch as Norwich City step out at Cobh Ramblers for opening friendly

Wes Hoolahan - an all-round hero. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire)

Tonight it will witness something far more sedate, a piece of history if you like, when it stages Norwich City's first warm-up game of the summer.

Hero worship will be reserved for one Wesley Hoolahan, a modern-day Irish hero both here and in Cobh, an island in Cork City harbour and home to a little under 13,000 residents.

Fitting considering the chalk and cheese nature of the two players – although the mood will turn decidedly Keane-esque should our Wesley not step out tonight and fulfil his local hero obligations.

But aside from Wes, who plays?

This is Daniel Farke's first ever game as head coach of Norwich City. It is the first game of a new era for the club – of the sporting director/head coach model that was officially adopted in the post-Alex Neil era.

A friendly it may be, but come the final whistle there will be countless appraisals of life under Farke: what he's like on the touchline? Is he the silent, pensive type? The kick-every-ball head coach? Will he point? Will he scream? Or will he cajole and persuade with an arm around the shoulders?

And how will he interact with the fans (there are always City fans at friendlies, wherever they play)? After last season's disappointments a bit of touchline PR might not go amiss.

If you think it isn't important, then cast your mind back to previous managers who, almost without fail, saw their body language on the touchline come under intense scrutiny: usually when form was suffering.

Farke is open to a whole world of sterotyping and cliched headlines perhaps unfit for a family newspaper, but there is little doubt that as far as City are concerned, he is the main man tonight.

And then there's his team selection: amidst the usual tranche of substitutions there will be clues.

With Graham Dorrans Glasgow-bound we can perhaps, with all due respect, forget about him.

Jonny Howson is in Ireland, but talk of his imminent departure is growing louder. Middlesbrough are the most favoured suitors, at least as far as the rumour mill is concerned, so does Farke give him any sort of role? And if so, why? Is it worth playing someone who won't figure for you in the new season. And if he does have a role to play at Cobh, is it because he thinks Howson will stay? Questions, questions ...

Let's make an assumption that Dorrans and Howson won't be involved - who does Farke play? Does he try out some youngsters or does he have a look at all his senior players? Don't forget, he hasn't spent much time with them since his arrival and this will be his first opportunity to see them in a match situation. Plus, there are new faces (for us at least) to be integrated – Christoph Zimmermann in defence and Mario Vrancic and Marley Watkins in midfield.

Discount the fact it is a friendly match: at this level players have an in-built competitive instinct, no matter the occasion, so they will want to win (anyone remember last summer's 'friendly' against Rubin Kazan when, among the physical carnage, Michael Turner was red-carded?)

Jacob Murphy and Angus Gunn are missing, on leave, after their time away with the England Under-21s at the European Championships. The goalkeeping position is more interesting given Gunn's arrival and the possibly uncomfortable position that Michael McGovern finds himself in. Gunn is expected to be first choice keeper in the new season, but McGovern has the opportunity to elbow him aside if he can impress. When the cat's away and all that.

The left back position is another that might be considered up for grabs. Time for Harry Toffolo to step up...

In fact, it is probably time for everyone to stand up. It's a new era - who wants to be part of it?