‘I did not expect this, that I could play this sort of season’ – Stiepermann on his City turnaround
Marco Stiepermann has been something of a revelation for Norwich City this season - and he wants to make sure the supporters play their part from here until the end of the season. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Marco Stiepermann admitted he considered his Norwich City future before becoming one of the pillars of the Canaries’ promotion drive.
Marco Stiepermann has chipped in with important goals all season - but considered he may have to call time on his Norwich City last summer, after a difficult first season. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
No-one’s change in fortune mirrors Norwich’s quite like the 28-year-old.
An injury-hit, out of position first season has been succeeded by a supreme effort and key role in the Canaries’ title challenge. And Stiepermann admitted he did wonder whether continuing in England after his difficult first year was worth it.
“After not a really good season you think about the future: What should I do? Should I stay? Is there another solution,” admitted Stiepermann. “But I said I will stay here because why should I stay here for just one year? I just gave everything in pre-season to see what would happen – and obviously I did everything right!
“It does make this feel all the better. I did not expect this, to be honest, that I could play this sort of season. I knew I have quality and I have confidence in myself, but you never expect after the first season that I will play such a second season. But in football, everything can happen.”
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Stiepermann was at his best once again on Wednesday evening as his solo effort put the Canaries on their way to a 3-2 win over Hull.
MORE: ‘My best goal’ - Stiepermann on solo effort
The win was perhaps more comfortable than the scoreline suggests and whilst the Canaries’ wild ride this term has seen them smash their pre-season expectations and lead the Championship with just nine games to go, flat moments in the stands have contributed to two tricky games under the floodlights at Carrow Road.
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Of course, Daniel Farke’s side won both games – and neither was played in silence. Far from it.
But as expectations rise and the finishing line comes into view, Stiepermann hopes the Norwich cans can do their bit to give the Canaries the best chance of finishing the job.
“We need everyone in there to help push us over the line, absolutely,” said Stiepermann. “Everyone – and especially at the times where we are not on the front foot. When it’s like that and we can hear the stadium is even louder in that situation, it’s going to push us forward I think.
“That’s what I want to mention. I think we have incredible fans, the best fans for me in the whole league. I’m really proud of them.
“But sometimes there are also teams here which can play really good football and they are maybe on the front foot for some minutes – and then we need them even more in these situations, to really get behind us more than anything.
“Like I said, we have the best fans – but sometimes we need them more when we’re not doing well.”
Michael Bailey on Twitter @michaeljbailey
