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Stiepermann is over his Championship culture shock with Canaries
Marco Stiepermann endured a tough baptism in the Championship. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd - Credit: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd
Marco Stiepermann admits he had to wise up after suffering a Championship culture shock.
The 26-year-old followed Daniel Farke from Germany in the summer, to join Norwich City’s crusade, but the former Borussia Dortmund youngster expected a smoother ride in the English second tier.
“I was surprised. I thought first time I play it could be a little bit easier for me, but I have had to change my play, for sure, to adapt my attributes,” he said. “From week to week it is better for me.
“It is different to Bundesliga Two. In Germany every team wants to try and play football in a certain way. I have a feeling here you have so many players with individual quality.
“Look at someone like Middlesbrough or Wolves, who can pay £14m for a player.
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“It is not possible in Germany and they are the players who can make the difference. This is a big difference.
“The physical strength of players here is amazing, also. We have Zimbo (Christoph Zimmermann), okay, but there are so many of them in this league.”
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Stiepermann revealed he was a front player earlier in his career, but Farke appears keen to convert him to a raiding full-back.
“Our possession game is good for me. I get the ball a lot, I like the long runs down the side,” he said. “It’s my first time playing full-back and I like it.
“Normally I’m an offensive player and I feel like I was born to score goals. I started as a striker and played often in midfield last season, but the coach wanted to try something. I like it.
“I have to improve my defence because it’s a new position for me.
“In the away games it is a little easier for us because teams are not standing so deep in their own half. When we play at home they wait for a counter-attack and we have a little bit of a problem with that to create chances.
“When we go away other teams have to make the game.”
