Norwich City: Chris Sutton column on David Wagner's new era

After nine months out of work since departing Young Boys in March, Wagner looks refreshed and determined to make a success of life at Carrow Road. 

Despite Sunday's defeat to Blackburn, there were positive signs in terms of performance that they can make forward strides between now and the end of the season. 

My fear is that there is such a weight of expectation on him that he quickly feels the pressure of the job he has taken on - if he is to succeed then Norwich will have to ensure he retains that energy for the project. 

During his official unveiling, it came as no surprise to hear the German speak about the fitness levels of the current squad. 

It is the oldest trick in the book for a new manager to come into a club and bemoan the players' level of fitness. It's an easy win but there are bigger conundrums for him to produce answers to in the weeks and months ahead. 

Players get regularly tested in terms of fitness and clubs have the ability to delve into forensic detail as to the condition of every player at the club. 

Norwich's problem has been a lack of ideas in the final third and a chronic lack of confidence that has seen their Championship season regress rapidly. 

Wagner wants to play with a high pressing system - there is a unique level of fitness that type of football requires anyway, but a lot of it with come down to the organisational aspects and how well the German is able to coach this team and get his ideas across. 

You cannot just run around like headless chickens because, as a team, you get picked off. There are certain triggers as to how to press and, at times on Sunday, Norwich's efforts weren't as tight as they could have been, largely down to the short time frame that Wagner had to implement his ideas. 

If just one player is out of sync, then you can get undone pretty quickly. His mission is to get a team functioning quickly enough to get results. 

Wagner has been dealt a similar hand to the one that Dean Smith was given when he first arrived at the club - he has to improve a group of players that have been underperforming for a prolonged period of time. 

Transforming them into a fully-functioning team capable of gaining promotion through the play-offs feels like a tall order.

The games are coming quick and fast, it feels nigh on impossible for him to turn things around in such a short space of time and implement a style of play that the team are able to grasp with immediate effect. 

Norwich need to become watertight at the back and improve their output at the top end of the pitch - at this moment in time, it feels like miracle stuff. Although Wagner and his team have to believe that it is possible, but the odds are stacked firmly against him. 

For that reason, supporters and those appraising Wagner's impact and performance will have to display patience. This will not be an overnight fix. 

There are very few cases of a team taking a radical departure from their previous style of playing and ending the season with success. Norwich cannot write the current campaign off, but there must be some acceptance that Wagner requires time to implement his methods. 

At Monday's press conference, Stuart Webber shared the same message. That's crucially important but Wagner needs to be given a fair crack of the whip by supporters. 

If he can establish a connection and display some positive performances - I believe he will be afforded that time. 

This could be a slow burner. When he came in mid-season at Huddersfield, albeit in different circumstances, he stabilised them but it was his first full season in charge when the success arrived. 

That was fuelled slightly by smart recruitment. That is why I have one eye on the January window and wonder whether he will be given some external help this month. 

Wagner has brought his own ideas in, but so did Smith and he couldn't bring success to Norwich. They only made two permanent additions during his tenure at the club.

Norwich need some help. Aaron Ramsey has returned to Aston Villa, Isaac Hayden is set for a spell on the sidelines, Todd Cantwell looks likely to depart and Jon Rowe won't be back until April. 

With this current group of players, I'm not sure Wagner can turn things around immediately to such an extent that this team transform into something completely new. 

It's about personnel. This group is devoid of confidence and has underperformed for nearly 18 months. 

Norwich still have a chance of getting into the playoffs and that has to be their aim - but I still think it will be a big task. There are so many issues that Wagner has to find solutions to in the weeks and months ahead.

It cannot just be Wagner where the sole focus is, it has to be turned towards the players. There comes a time when this squad has to start doing more and take a bigger share of the responsibility. That has been lacking all season in every part of the pitch. 

This group gets a lot of positive comments about the strength they have on paper. I'm not sure that is right but he has to instil that belief into the players. 

That begins with getting players to buy into the way he wants to play. 

Players will enjoy the aggressive nature of it. It will be physically demanding but that is easier to accept when you believe in it and are winning. Wagner has to turn this group from underachievers into winners again - that won't be easy. 

If Norwich are unable to get promoted this season, then Wagner will be able to dismantle the squad and start afresh, that luxury wasn't afforded to his predecessor. 

Wagner has been welcomed in with open arms - that is refreshing to see, but opinions change quickly in football. 

They stood by Daniel Farke in difficult moments. Smith was given less time. I hope that Wagner is afforded the same space and buy in that his compatriot received. 

This might be a slow burner - as Sunday proved, but Norwich City fans must give Wagner time to be successful. 

Todd Cantwell has been linked with a move away from Norwich City. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Limited)
SUTTON EXTRA

It feels like this will be the transfer window that sees Todd Cantwell depart Norwich City - and Rangers' reported interest in him is curious. 

For Cantwell's sake, I hope that he can get his career up and running again. Everyone knows the talent he possesses but when was the last time he had a good period at Norwich? 

Not every manager can be wrong. Was Daniel Farke wrong? Was Dean Smith wrong? He wasn't in the squad at the weekend and all the noises feel to be pointing to an exit this month. 

That may be what he needs to reignite his career after a tough spell for whatever reason. I hope he can get his focus back and not become one of these players remembered as somewhat of a wasted talent. 

You can get gobbled up in Glasgow, whether on the blue or green and white side. Rangers are a massive club and it's great up there when things are going well but it can be a lonely place if you struggle. 

The praise from Michael Beale will have been welcomed by Cantwell - but it's not an easy environment and you get defined by your performances in the Old Firm matches and in Europe. 

He could go up to Scotland, fly and get his career back up and running. Everyone of a Norwich persusasion would love to see that happen. 

As with a lot of players, he needs to focus on what the important things are. He must do his talking on the pitch. Cantwell does need a change and there comes a point where he needs to save his career. 

Rangers are making small steps of improvement under Beale but remain a way behind Celtic. Cantwell is the type of player who could thrive at Ibrox in the current set up, but how many times have we said that about him in the last 18 months? 

If he does move to Rangers, then he will have to deal with a level of expectation that he hasn't come across in his career to date. It's unforgiving up there. 

For his sake, I hope he makes a success of his next move. Cantwell is a wonderful talent - now he needs to prove it.