Norwich City: Kieran Dowell proving his worth under Wagner

The midfielder has scored three goals and recorded one assist in the German's opening two matches in charge - netting the fourth goal in the Canaries' 4-2 win over Coventry on Saturday. 

Wagner has been full of praise of the 25-year-old, believing he can use his past experiences of working with players similar to Dowell to extract the very best out of the former Everton academy graduate who has struggled for consistency since arriving at Norwich. 

One of the factors for Dowell's issue of fluctuating performance levels are the lack of appearances at senior level. Despite his age, the creative midfielder made only his 158th senior game of his career against Coventry.

Saturday's game against Everton was only the fourth time that Dowell has completed a full 90 minutes in a league match since arriving at Norwich in 2020. Those numbers encapsulate the struggles he has had for consistency here but also throughout his career.

He arrived at Carrow Road off the back of numerous loan moves whilst developing at his boyhood club - but his search for a permanent home led him to Norfolk. 

Injuries and the form of others - such as Emi Buendia and Todd Cantwell - has meant that Dowell has occupied the shadows during his first campaign at the club. 

That inconsistency in his performances hasn't been helped by the limited sequences of consecutive matches he has been afforded in the last 12 months. 

Wagner witnesses there is talent there to unlock and potential still left unfulfilled but more than that, he believes that he is the coach capable of unlocking it. 

With Wagner's praise ringing in his ears, Dowell is playing with confidence and looks like a man who has been released from the shackles, both internal and tactical, that have prevented him from shining on a consistent basis. 

During this game, Dowell's intelligence in possession was a welcome antidote to City's offensive work pre-Wagner. 

His combination play, first-time passes to shift the ball quickly and angled balls were joyous to consume but effective in both the creation of chances and the location of teammates. 

There was one pass in the first half that Dowell sought to play Teemu Pukki in behind, only for the Finn to be tripped as he made his way towards goal. When the midfielder receives the ball on the half turn and seeks to play forward, it often spells trouble for City's opponents. 

Perhaps the best examples of his intelligence and composure in dangerous positions are displayed by his role in City's second goal and his own finish to wrap up the points in the second half. 

Dowell's threaded pass to find Onel Hernandez perfectly encapsulates the calm quality that he has embedded into City's attacking phases of play.

That same coolness was on display when he was picked out by Sam McCallum in the box, only to take a few more touches than many players would have before dispatching ruthlessly beyond Ben Wilson. 

But it would be unfair to just discuss Dowell's quality on the ball - his appetite to press and work in defensive positions has been just as encouraging. It is amazing what an injection of confidence and regular game time have done. 

Hovering in the background is Dowell's contractual situation. 

The midfielder is part of the eight-strong group who have now entered the final six months of their current deals. 

Given his desire to make Norwich a home and have some security and stability in his career, Dowell would want to continue his stay at the club. In that sense, this resurgence has come at a moment where he has needed to put his best foot forward. 

Towards the end of his tenure, Dean Smith wasn't handing Dowell minutes and it felt like he was somewhat on the periphery of Norwich's squad and set for an exit in the summer. 

But Wagner has catapulted him into a senior role, injected him with confidence but also showed a willingness to develop the aspects of his game that others have seen as a reason to play others ahead of him. 

Kieran Dowell scores Norwich City's fourth goal at Coventry. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Limited)

He is taking his moment, but there is an acceptance that his needs to be the beginning of a sustained run of form in yellow and green. If he can manage that, under a coach who believes in him, then the new contract will take care of itself. 

There is an opening in Norwich's side for a creator-in-chief given Aaron Ramsey's return to Aston Villa and Todd Cantwell's imminent move to Scottish giants Rangers - that is an opportunity that Dowell hasn't been afforded since signing for Norwich. 

With the January window still open, there does feel like another incoming is needed in attacking areas. In that regard, the pressure is on for Dowell to prove that he is the best person to continue in that position. 

He is flourishing from a refreshed attacking set-up that is full to the brim with creativity, fluidity and overloads in wide options that Dowell has the quality to pick out with regularity. 

This performance at the CBS Arena wouldn't have looked out of place in the Premier League. 

If Dowell can continue in this vein of form, there no longer will discussions about a lack of creativity exist. Unlike other positive performances that have perhaps been isolated events, these displays feel more sustainable. 

That is now the challenge facing Dowell if he wants to keep shining and finally take the step forward that many believe he has the capability to do.