Chris Sutton: Why Norwich City can show progress against Millwall

Since the German’s appointment, only Middlesbrough and runaway leaders Burnley have taken more points than them. That is a run of form that feels like it has been underplayed in Norfolk because of the frustrating relationship that fans have had with this group of players throughout the campaign.  

The average league position of those teams played since Wagner’s appointment is 15th – so many are reserving judgement until a tougher run of fixtures appears on the horizon.  

Despite the positive work done in recent weeks, there is still a rollercoaster of emotions that surrounds what Norwich do at the moment. There have been two sides to their work throughout the season.  

For all the praise they deserve for this sparkling run of form, it should also be noted that they still sit outside the top six. This has all been required to get them back in the hunt – there is so much more work to do.  

Norwich still haven’t turned hope into belief – for all the improvement under Wagner, there is yet to be a major result that has significantly shifted the dial on how supporters feel about this team.  

Victories against Birmingham and Cardiff won’t have done it. Given their standing in the Championship, they haven’t had that impact. Over the next two matches, they have a chance to tick that box; it is perhaps the final piece of improvement to come.  

But they have helped the wider issue of turning around their form at Carrow Road. It has been problematic for so long, but three wins has helped shrug off any malaise and negative feeling surrounding matches at home.  

So, whilst they may not be eyebrow-raising, they could be crucial because they kickstart the process of injecting confidence into this group.  

Throughout this season Norwich have been so up and down in their results, performances and the mood of those following them. That is why any feeling they could still get promoted is not that has not felt bound in reality.  

When you play in an inconsistent side, you look towards your strong leaders to drag you through – not just the manager but also those inside the dressing room.  

Gabriel Sara has hit a real purple patch and is getting plaudits, but the stability of Kenny McLean alongside him is helping him flourish. His comments on the Brazilian’s form after Saturday’s game were inspired in terms of giving him further confidence.  

That is strong leadership. From my experience, that is a crucial component in overcoming inconsistency.  

Wagner’s tactical set-up and the clarity he has provided to the group has aided that process. But there have still been some days, such as Wigan or Bristol City, where they have looked disjointed and short of the standard required.  

This was always going to be a slow burner – but the German is getting plenty out of a group of players who have underperformed, were chronically short on confidence and weren’t at the standard to compete for the play-offs.  

Grant Hanley is finding a level of consistency, Ben Gibson has looked much-improved in the last two matches, Max Aarons is looking increasingly comfortable on the right flank again and Angus Gunn is providing security between the sticks.  

Players and teams take confidence from controlling matches for 90 minutes – Norwich are still looking to do that under Wagner, and that will take time to achieve.  

Just like when they were sitting 11th and had just been beaten by Burnley and Bristol City, there does need to be a balance about how this team are viewed.  

Eight games is a small sample size, but there are early signs that the negative trends are being turned around – that is absolutely positive, but it doesn’t guarantee they will finish this season in the play-offs.  

Perhaps the only thing missing from Wagner’s improved Norwich side is proof that they can conquer the teams in and around them. They are yet to claim a major scalp or produce a result that shows their promotion credentials.  

So far this season, Norwich have played 12 matches against the sides currently inside the top ten – they have won two, drawn two and lost eight. In those matches, they’ve scored eight times and conceded 16 goals.  

That is stripping the matches of all their context and removing all the mitigation that was present, but it is not a positive record.  

Earlier this month, many Norwich fans were relishing the visit of Burnley to properly assess how much this side had improved after resounding victories.  

Ultimately, it didn’t teach us anything we didn’t know. It perhaps came too early in Wagner’s reign to be that measuring stick that many hoped it could be at that stage.  

For the same reasons as was being discussed around that game against Vincent Kompany’s side, this weekend’s clash against Millwall feels significant.  

It is the type of game that many supporters will be expecting Norwich to arrive at the Den and get bullied against a well-drilled side that maximise set-pieces and cause problems with crosses.  

Wagner said this group struggles when faced with adversity – they can expect plenty against Millwall on Saturday. 

If Norwich can stand up to that test and get a result in South London, they will retain momentum and answer key questions that are still be posed of them in the process.  

Wagner and his group will be taking each of the 12 remaining games on their individual merits – from here, every fixture is tough and contains subplots.  

After this big fortnight, they travel to Huddersfield to face Neil Warnock’s side in a relegation scrap. That will not be an easy afternoon.

They head to Middlesbrough, Blackburn and West Brom, welcome Sheffield United and Blackpool to Carrow Road, one side gunning for automatic promotion and another managed by Mick McCarthy fighting for their lives. There are no guarantees. 

They still have so much to prove – but this fortnight will tell us plenty about where Norwich City find themselves and their promotion credentials.  

Chris Sutton is a big fan of Norwich City winger Onel Hernandez (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

SUTTON EXTRA 

There have been a group of players who have quietly improved since David Wagner took charge last month – Onel Hernandez is undeniably in that category.  

Under Dean Smith, the winger was cast in almost a ‘super sub’ role tasked with changing matches in the final stages.  

Whenever a player is cast in that role, I feel incredibly sorry for them. It’s a thankless task and the expectation around players to enter a pitch and impact matches in a short time frame is far too high. 

Since Wagner’s arrival, Hernandez has started seven of the eight Championship games, recorded two assists and scored once.  

Like every player, he will be thriving off the trust that Wagner has granted him. That is evident with the confidence that is running through his game.  

A regular criticism of Hernandez has surrounded his end product. It’s something that is thrown at wide players at all levels – I think it’s deeply unfair. To be frank, if he could consistently produce then he would be playing at a higher level.  

But I admire the bravery he has. Irrespective of how one run goes or if he’s tackled, he will get up, dust himself down and try again. That desire to make something happen is admirable. Hernandez knows that he only needs to beat his man once, pick out a teammate once or produce a chance once for Norwich to win a match.  

Let’s flip the criticism around his end product to praise for his relentless determination to keep going and his bravery to take on his man again.  

If there is one component that defenders hate to come against it is explosive pace and power. Hernandez has both in abundance. Wagner has recognised that skillset that he possesses – no other Norwich player can do what he does on the pitch.  

I have been critical of the decision throughout this season to play Josh Sargent or Adam Idah off the side. Neither of those players are best suited to creating chances – Hernandez is. He should have played much more football than he has throughout this campaign. 

As a player, I would have loved to play alongside him because I know what he is trying to do – if you asked Norwich’s forwards, I’m certain they say the same thing. 

He isn’t perfect but I’d still ensure he was in the team every week.