David Wagner feels he is on the same page as new Norwich City sporting director Ben Knapper in striving to get the Canaries back on the front foot in the Championship.
Knapper officially started as Stuart Webber’s replacement during the international period, and wasted no time in sitting down with the German along with observing training at Colney over recent days.
The former Arsenal loans manager brings a background in data and innovation that will be key to driving the club forward on and off the park.
Knapper labelled himself a ‘purist’ in his introductory interview, and wants to see an aggressive strategy played in the opponent’s half.
Wagner himself arrived with a reputation for ‘full throttle’ football but long term injuries to the likes of key attacking duo Josh Sargent and Ashley Barnes stalled a positive start to the season.
The City head coach ended a run of fourth straight league defeats with a thrilling late comeback at Cardiff, and needs to build on that against QPR at Carrow Road this weekend.
Wagner is expected to provide the latest fitness update from the camp on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the return to domestic action.
“I look on the data and I look on the statistics, not all of them to be fair, but the truth is as well, I don't know when I was surprised about the data compared to what I've seen watching the games,” he said. “Nearly always it only backs up what I've seen.
"When we played Leeds was that a high intensity, energetic game where offensive players covered a lot of ground to press all over the park? That was what I saw and then I see the numbers afterwards and it told me, ‘Okay, the highest number of sprints in the league this season, highest individual endurance runs as well.’
"I knew it was a lot, whether it was the highest or second highest is irrelevant. The data backed up what I felt myself. The stats only back up what I feel watching the game in many cases.
“We know we have to do better, and where we have to do better. We speak about this all the time in individual meetings, team meetings, meetings with groups of players. And when we can we work on things as well, even if there is very limited training time, because of the games or international breaks.”
