Chris Sutton: It's a big run for David Wagner at Norwich

Last weekend's result against Ipswich was important. There would have been an inevitable pile-on had they have lost in Suffolk - but it still feels that just round the corner. 

It's less about where Norwich are at with Wagner right now but more about where is Ben Knapper at? How is he viewing the whole situation? 

He is attending all the games - but is he looking at Norwich's opponents dominating games against them and being content? His opening interview suggests not. Knapper needs to have complete belief and hope that Wagner can get them promoted this season - that must be the aim. 

This period, which is very intense and five of their next seven games come against teams in the top six, is a defining one. If Norwich show that they can compete and win the bulk of them, then it would be hard to view the decision to give Wagner time as anything but a triumph. 

If they come out of the other side and performances and results are lacking - we'll be back to square one with Wagner, and the view will be that the can has just been kicked down the road unnecessarily. It's a big period for him and for Knapper. 

I'm still pretty unwaivered in my view that because of how the fans view Wagner, rightly or wrongly, and I do think he's had a raw deal, I think it'll turn quicker on him than other managers. That is unfortunate for him. 

They aren't going to change their minds unless performances and results go through the roof - if Wagner's managerial career has run in streaks, he needs an incredible run of them right now. 

I'm still not sure whether this Norwich team has what it takes to make it into the play-offs. 

You have principles of play and it comes down to whether Norwich's are better than the opposition's pressing strategy - last weekend, and too often throughout this season, the answer has been no. 

If you flip that, was Ipswich's build-up play better than the Norwich press? It was. They were far superior to what Norwich were trying to do in all aspects but the scoreline - the one that matters.

When you think about how Wagner presented himself when he was appointed compared to what the supporters are getting at the moment, it shows how much he has had to adapt the team. There are still big deficiencies and gaping holes. 

One thing they have been is more disciplined. I was worried they would get overrun at Portman Road, but they held their own defensively. The flip side is that it was so hard for them to get out and they are so reliant on moments rather than performances. 

Adam Idah at Bristol City. Gabriel Sara's pass to Hwang Ui-Jo against QPR. Borja Sainz against Sheffield Wednesday. Jon Rowe against Ipswich. They are moments. Wagner needs to prove he can deliver performances. 

This Norwich City side has produced moments not performances, says Chris Sutton. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Huddersfield at home comes with the expectation that they should win, although it won't be easy. West Brom are looking pretty for a play-off place. Millwall is always a tough place to go and Russell Martin is bringing his total football Southampton side to Carrow Road on New Year's Day. 

That's a big game for Wagner. Martin's connections and the way he has Southampton playing will feed the view some fans have that Norwich should have moved for him. In fairness, he has taken over a side with a better quality of player. 

One thing is for sure - there is no excuses now for Norwich not to deliver. They will have a full squad of players to select from after the Huddersfield game, and then it will be a true test of what they can or can't achieve this season. 

Grant Hanley has been a massive miss, but I'm still not getting the bunting out for Josh Sargent's return in the same way that many are. 

He's been okay for Norwich. He fell well short in the Premier League but was playing out of position. He's a young guy who is yet to prove himself as a natural goalscorer. What if the start of the season was just a purple patch? What if we get the Josh Sargent that only scored four goals in 16 under Wagner last season? 

That isn't to say players can't evolve. He may be the answer and may come back and fire them to the top six - but what if he doesn't? All of their eggs cannot be placed in his basket. There wasn't a long enough run of games to fully judge his impact. 

After such a long time out, to just flick a switch and expect him to carry the goalscoring burden, with all the expectation that has been building whilst he's been out - that feels slightly unfair. 

The other counter to injuries is that Wagner made the decision, when other players were fit, to put others ahead of them. Danny Batth must be wondering how Kenny McLean is getting picked ahead of him in central defence. 

Norwich City fans should take the pressure off Josh Sargent as he returns from injury. (Image: Focus Images)

It's tough. McLean has looked assured and added to their work building up from the back - but Norwich's midfield has looked more open. Sara has to drop back and they aren't getting the benefits of his creativity further up the pitch. 

Right now, it feels like this heads in two directions. 

The games coming up will mean this run will come out in the wash - either Norwich will sustain it and prove they have turned a corner, or they will regress back to the results we saw in autumn. The answers will come either way. 

There is still uncertainty, but right now it feels like Norwich are in a holding pattern. A defining festive period holds the answer for what this season will be for Wagner, Knapper and the Canaries.