Norwich boss Daniel Farke has urged his players to be self-critical and not to feel sorry for themselves if the club is to avoid an immediate return to the Championship. Farke accused his players of being ‘a bit soft and scared’ against Wolves and lacking the kind of physical approach that is often required from a side that is deep in relegation trouble at this stage of a season.
Daniel Farke said “It’s important to back the players, for them not to lose their nerves because they always leave their heart out on the pitch It’s not like I’m sending them out and punishing my players. I back them but we also have to be self-critical to not feel sorry for ourselves and sometimes you have to be honest and approach things with a different body language. The players have proven they are capable of creating chances, of scoring goals, but each and every player has to be self-critical in order to step up into this area. It’s not possible now to bring in new players. If we’d have had the chance then we would have done it in January. If we want to give ourselves a chance (of survival) then we have to step up, and this will be the task over the next few weeks.”
Norwich City has won just one league game in three months and are without a goal from open play in 562 minutes.
Daniel Farke has outlined why Norwich City is the club for him despite increasing possibility that he will be managing a championship club again with his side firmly rooted at the bottom.
Daniel Farke said “It’s always nice when you get some compliments, whether it is from your own sporting director or the outside world, it’s better than having rotten tomatoes thrown at you/ Two things for me, the creator of this ‘Norwich way’ was Stuart Webber and he arrived before I arrived and he is crucial to lead this club into the mid and long term future. Everything what we have achieved so far, and we are praised a lot, is due to the foundation work of Stuart Weber. It’s even more important for the club that he is there instead of any player, any coaching staff member or whatever. The second thing is no one has to be concerned about my situation. Life is not all about money and titles and success. It is about human beings and relationships. It is even more pleasant to create something in an atmosphere where people want to leave their heart out on the pitch or off the pitch. I have this feeling I am totally at the right club at the moment and I feel honoured and blessed to be allowed to work for this amazing club. There could be some coaches who judge their own career by money, success or titles but to work at a place with so much unity and people who put their heart and soul into it is better than being the 24th coach in the history of a club to win the 147th title.”
Daniel Farke had earlier suggested the outcome of the club’s relegation fight would not determine his next career move.
Norwich City head coach Daniel Farke has publicly challenged his winger Emiliano Buendia to improve his goal tally for Norwich in order to fulfil his potential in the Premier League – in a pointed piece of criticism.
Daniel Farke said “I am not saying this to accuse Emiliano Buendia, but it is gameday 26 and he has not scored a goal. Emiliano Buendia knows that needs to improve. He also needs to make more runs beyond the final man. His points per game in the side is the lowest of all our wingers this season. He can get to the level of a top, top player at this level but since his recent injury I watch him every day in training and he is not quite 100%, yet like his best periods this season. No one in this room is a bigger fan of Emi than me. But Emiliano Buendia is a young player and sometimes I have to protect them.”
23-year-old Buendia has failed to score a goal this season, but currently has seven assists to his name – only Trent Alexander-Arnold (10) and Kevin De Bruyne (16) have registered more so far – and that doesn’t seem to be enough for his manager.
