Norwich City: Is David Wagner blocking Brad Hills' pathway?

The Canaries loan export sealed a vital win for Accrington Stanley in League Two, while his parent club fought in vain against a Middlesbrough side that outclassed them in almost every way.

At the heart of City’s defence was a combination of 31-year-old Shane Duffy and 30-year-old Ben Gibson, who have been ever-presents in David Wagner’s set-up despite conceding 24 goals in the first 13 games of this Championship season.

Wagner’s preference for stability in his back four has meant a stubborn unwillingness to replace the duo, his starting line-ups met increasingly with bewilderment from supporters. There’s fresh hope that when he eventually does shuffle the pack there’s new blood to come in, however ... 33-year-old deadline-day signing Danny Batth.

Danny Batth was signed to replace Andrew Omobamidele on transfer deadline day. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

That combination of stubbornness and obsession with experience does not bode well for the likes of Hills or Jaden Warner, whose astonishingly good performance against Premier League Fulham was to no avail.

In yesteryear that wasn’t the case. City fans kept a watchful eye over Ben Godfrey's loan at Shrewsbury knowing he could be the next youngster to break into Daniel Farke's side. Todd Cantwell and Jamal Lewis were rewarded for promising cup performances with first-team places.

Max Aarons may never have become City's most consistent and reliable right-back for multiple generations had Farke declined to take a chance on a talented 18-year-old. He likely wouldn't have generated £9million of funds this summer when the Norfolk club were in desperate need of it.

Aarons at the stage of his Championship baptism of fire against Ipswich Town was eight months younger than Kellen Fisher is now, and the former Bromley right-back has impressed in multiple Carabao Cup outings.

He produced a fine assist as Jonathan Rowe headed a late winner past QPR goalkeeper Joe Walsh, and dealt comfortably with Premier League winner Willian against Fulham. Wagner said in August he "knows what a talent we have". And yet Fisher hasn't had a look-in behind Jack Stacey in the league.

Godfrey was younger than Warner is now when he became a Championship regular as Norwich won the title. Wagner said he "couldn't ask for more" from his young centre-back after that Fulham display.

Hills may not be as far along in his development as the aforementioned duo, but his situation is summarised by the lack of genuine discussion as to what his role could be in the City first team. This is a man highly rated in Lancashire, and trusted in every single minute of league action thus far.

Brad Hills has impressed on loan at Accrington Stanley. (Image: PA)

The introduction of Jonathan Rowe is to Wagner's credit, and there's no doubting the discovery of City's next hidden gem in the dynamic attacker. But there was once a time when City were known nationwide for producing some of the best youngsters around, and one in an era of players is not an overwhelming return.

Apply to that the context of the amount of work that's gone into improving academy facilities and signing young talent, and that ratio feels even less impressive.

Plenty of time was spent identifying the best prospects available and recruiting them for the club's under-23s this summer; development head coach Alan Neilson has an almost entirely new squad to work with for the 2023-24 season.

All that work could go to waste, however, if experience continues to be prioritised and pathways continue to be blocked.

After an impressive start to the season and a money-saving transfer window, the benefits of an older squad were routinely highlighted. Now the negatives are rearing their heads, and coming to define Wagner's weaknesses as a head coach.

In the short term that could mean bad news for the German, but City must ensure it doesn't spill into the long-term and damage the young talent they have on their hands.