Daniel Farke is a man who believes in miracles, and he still holds hopes that Norwich City can defy the odds in their quest for Premier League survival and FA Cup glory.
The German has devoted his time during lockdown to analyse City’s shortfalls in order to prepare for their remaining nine fixtures of the Premier League season.
City still have plenty to play for, with their top-flight status in serious doubt as well as the small matter of an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester United at the end of this month - the club’s first in 28 years.
Farke’s opted to describe City’s prospects of survival and cup glory as their own ‘little miracle’ - something he his committed to achieving once football resumes.
“I’ve mentioned it many times but we believe in miracles and we try to work on it everyday.
“To be allowed to work for this amazing club, to play football and be in this responsible role for these unbelievable supporters and this community, we are all blessed and honoured.
“We will work our socks off to work on both things. We have two targets. First, to do everything to stay in this league and be allowed to play in the Premier League next season and we’re in a good position in the FA Cup,” Farke explained.
“It’s not realistic to win it but we’ll try it. I want to be as successful as possible and this is all we have in our heads and on the training pitch.”
City’s penalty shootout victory against Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round of the competition feels like an eternity ago.
So much has changed since Tim Krul’s heroics ensured City’s progression to the latter stages of the competition.
For Farke, despite the change in circumstances, the objective remains the same; City will give their all to win the FA Cup.
“It still feels strange because we had three unbelievably difficult away games and it was difficult for us to be that successful.
“Then we have our first home game and we think ‘wow, Manchester United, it’ll be an amazing night’ and then you have to play this amazing game behind closed doors. It still feels strange.
“But, at least it’s good to have this game and to get this chance to try to win this game and go into the next round to try and be as successful as possible.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here