September was superb for Norwich City, but plenty of fans will head to Carrow Road today hoping to join the party.
Winning away at Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Reading as part of a seven-game unbeaten run has revitalised Daniel Farke’s early work as head coach.
However, the last two matches on home turf have been 0-0 draws against Burton and Bristol City and the Canaries faithful want to see what their team can really do.
Farke’s cause has not been helped by something of an injury crisis, with midfielder Alex Tettey ruled out by a calf injury for at least a month and winger Josh Murphy’s broken toe keeping him out until next week.
Star striker Nelson Oliveira and left-back Marco Stiepermann have rested their groin issues, but will only be fit enough to be on the bench against Hull, with the experienced Steven Naismith and Russell Martin still unavailable.
Mario Vrancic has shaken off a calf knock to return in midfield, but forward Marley Watkins starts a three-game ban and Alex Pritchard, Louis Thompson, Jamal Lewis and Matt Jarvis remain long-term absentees – which makes the challenge of getting his team scoring again all the more difficult for Farke.
MORE: Alex Tettey and Josh Murphy lead gloomy injury bulletin for Norwich ahead of Hull clash
“Personnel problems, especially in our offensive area, don’t help, but it is like it is,” said the City boss.
“I think it will be important that we go on with our good defensive behaviour in order to not concede too many goals because when you have to do without so many important players for the offence it is not so easy to create many chances and to score a lot of goals.
“It will be easier when Nelson is fit, when Pritchard is fit, when Naismith is there, Josh Murphy is there, Marley Watkins is available, Marco Stiepermann is in good shape.
MORE: Positive news for Norwich City on Alex Pritchard’s recovery from injury
“That will always help but we have to do without them right now and we have to find some solutions, I trust my lads, I’m really convinced with these guys that we will be able to create chances and be able to score goals.
“So if it’s a goal out of a set-piece, perhaps a header from a centre-back or whatever, I could live with it – they are allowed to score goals too!
“For that we are looking forward to this game and we know we have to struggle a little bit in personnel terms but we will be there and ready to fight for points.”
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