The key to a rapid improvement in the quality of Norwich City’s defending is simple according to head coach Daniel Fake: an improved attitude.
Being thrashed 4-0 at Millwall was painful for all connected with the Canaries to watch and for all the tactical tweaks the German can make, he believes the desire of his players will make the difference.
“What I see as a reaction is more the attitude to give your life to defend your own goal,” said Farke ahead of this afternoon’s Carrow Road clash with Birmingham.
“It was the same at Millwall, the three goals in the first half we didn’t concede because of a counter-attack or because we are in less numbers than the opponents in the most important area.
“We conceded the first goal out of a long ball and we lost a really simple header and the other two goals were out of two throw-ins. I want a team with the attitude that when there is a throw-in that we fight to get the ball back and we are there and give our life to defend our goal.
“We analysed it and the guys know they were too poor in this area, so easy mistakes and we know this.”
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Farke’s defensive options have been bolstered by Timm Klose being fit to make a belated start to his season and the arrival of Grant Hanley from Newcastle.
After playing much of the second half in Scotland’s 2-0 win over Malta on Monday, Hanley joined in with training on Thursday and had his first full session yesterday, leaving Farke to decide whether he is ready to start against the Blues.
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“On Friday he trained again with the team, with additional time to speak about our ideas and strategy and how we want him to defend and what we expect from him,” the City boss said.
“It’s not so easy when the guys are away with their national squad but at least he had some minutes with the Scottish team, which was good.
“For us it was important to have another option of this experience and not only to help in fours months but also pretty soon and so perhaps two days are a little bit too short to put him on the pitch in the starting line-up but he is available and I’m sure he can help pretty soon.
“We have three games in seven days and I think he can help us pretty soon and he is available from here.”
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