P.J. Davitt's Blog, page 8

Webber defends City’s summer recruitment

Stuart Webber remains convinced Norwich City’s epic player trading this summer is not only good for the balance sheet, but also the Canaries’ Premier League survival hopes.

The club record sale of Emi Buendia, following on from the previous departures of Ben Godfrey and Jamal Lewis, saw City post a pre-tax profit in the latest set of published accounts.

That despite a £30m Covid hole in lost revenue from over an entire season without Carrow Road full houses, and a £70m splurge on transfers, loans and potential add ons in the summer.

“The facts are we have been very ambitious, compared to our competitors, and at the minute we are under-achieving,” said Webber. “Selling Emi when we did helped us do a lot of work in the summer, as much as we did not want to lose a good player. I have spoken about this before.

“When someone tells you very clearly he will not be playing for the club again then it has to be, ‘Okay, see you later mate, we do not need you. Thank you very much.’ No one is bigger than the football club.

“But two years ago, we did not have a go. We made a very conscious decision and we were honest about that. We said we would use the money to help build our infrastructure to look much more like a Premier League club because, at that point, it looked closer to League One than the Premier League.

“There is not one regret within that. Two years ago everyone is saying we needed to be more like Sheffield United. I am not sure people would say that today, because they stayed up for a season.

“Huddersfield, stayed up for a season. We were we were not willing to go all in just to try and survive for one year.

“Two years ago we were miles off, we were not good enough. And I know people can look at the performances at the minute and go, ‘Well, it does not look much difference,’ and I probably sound like an idiot. But this time around the approach we took in the transfer market was very different. We have got a squad together full of internationals.

“We have got good staff and a good coach and more than a good chance of getting out of this. We recruited heavily in the summer and that takes time to gel. Let us not kid ourselves to do the amount of churn we did to the squad, which is certainly big by our standards, can take a bit of time to gel together.”

The Premier League table paints a grim picture at present, while the lack of league starts for Milot Rashica and Christos Tzolis, or the lack of league goals for Josh Sargent, have already prompted some to question Webber’s recruitment.

“If people want to say that I do not think it is harsh, but I definitely think it’s too early,” said City’s sporting director. “All three of them have come from foreign countries. One of them is 19. Another one is 21. These are young players. Normally we have our 19 year olds on loan in League One or lower.

“To expect Christos to be playing every week in the Premier League, he was not bought for that. He has incredible potential, and potential needs time to nurture itself. Can he come through and make a big impact this season? Yes, but that is not an expectation on him and the price tag on him is not his fault. That should not bring any more pressure on him.

“In terms of Josh, it is tough being a striker for our team at the minute because we have had so many games where we have not had much of the ball. I challenge any striker in the world to have played up front for us against Chelsea, and show anything more than what Teemu (Pukki) and Josh did.

“It is too early to tell, but it is also not unfair to ask.

“There is not one player, one staff member who can, in my opinion, go to sleep at night and say I have done my bit, I have cracked it. If that was the case we would be better than where we are. And we have to get better.”

 

Paddy’s Pointers: Five observations from City 0, Chelsea 7 [SEVEN]

Paddy Davitt delivers his Chelsea verdict after Norwich City’s 7-0 Premier League hammering.

1. Fearless? Try frightened

That pre-match rallying cry from Daniel Farke looks hollow now. His players certainly did not get the message about sticking out their chests and relishing an opportunity earned from another Championship grind last season.

If this is what a winning lottery ticket looks like, to paraphrase the late, great Brian Clough ‘throw it in the bin’. It is worthless. Norwich were every bit as compliant as they had been at Manchester City earlier this season. Then there was mitigation in a disrupted pre-season and the relatively late arrival of transfer window signings.

None of that washes for the paucity of what they served up at Stamford Bridge.

Farke’s side looked a rabble for the most part. An embarrassing ‘effort’ sealed with Ben Gibson launching himself into a wild challenge that earned a second yellow card. Not that the damage was already done by that stage.

Chelsea were in cruise control for the most part, despite being without injured frontline strikeforce Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner.

In comparison, Norwich’s efforts were listless and lacking in any real intensity. There is a way to lose when you face the best. This is not it. Not by a long way.

It merely turns the heat fully back up again on Farke and his squad for the league games ahead, after two spirited efforts brought points against Burnley and Brighton.

Perhaps the biggest question raised from this pathetic defeat is do they really believe they belong at this level?

2. Shattered pieces

Farke will do well to scoop up all the fragments from this abject offering and stick them back together before Leeds head to Carrow Road next weekend.

Wisely, the head coach and his visibly shell-shocked players did not venture too close to the away support to clap their appreciation. The responses and hand gestures coming from the opposite direction told them what many of the travelling support thought of what they had just witnessed.

A club record-equalling top flight defeat is not the type of record Farke, or his troops, would want to own.

Farke has gone on the front foot publicly in recent weeks to defend his players and his record since arriving at the club.

His place in the pantheon of City’s managers is assured. But this is about the future, not the past. A mauling at the home of the rampant Champions League holders is not the time to allow emotion to cloud judgement.

Norwich’s Premier League fate will never be decided by what they do against the elite. That was the same in Nigel Worthington’s assault at the top flight, as it was Neil Adams or Chris Hughton.

But the manner of this reverse, and the cracks it exposes, as individuals and as a collective, will only heighten the concern the ending this time will be no different to the way they exited the Premier League under Farke first time around.

He will know better than any if this Chelsea surrender is not swiftly followed by a real fightback, there is only one outcome.

3. If looks could kill

When Callum Hudson-Odoi burst clear of Ozan Kabak to calmly sidefoot Chelsea into a 2-0 lead, at the opposite end of the pitch Teemu Pukki dropped to his haunches and shot Josh Sargent a brooding stare. Literally seconds before another devastating counter from the Blues, triggered by Mateo Kovacic, Pukki had turned and drove at last man Thiago Silva before attempting to slip in Sargent.

The US international made a one-paced attempt to collect a ball that should have brought a rare effort on Edouard Mendy’s goal. Instead it allowed Silva to snaffle the turnover and unleash the ‘blue arrows’ again.

Chelsea’s devastating counter was everything Norwich’s was not; potent, pacy and clinical. It perhaps underlined the gulf Farke had alluded to pre-match about the size of the task when top host bottom.

But in the context of the wider quest for attacking productivity it graphically illustrated again that Farke’s faith in Pukki and Sargent is yet to yield dividends at the sharp end of the pitch.

4. Centre ground

There will be many things for Farke to deconstruct when he hunkers down at Colney over the coming days with his coaching staff. Chief among them how his central midfielders were so willing to allow Jorginho and Kovacic to dictate the tempo and dominate the flow of a game which took eight minutes to start careering away from the Canaries.

Two excellent operators in their own right. Kovacic threaded the pass for Hudson-Odoi’s and Ben Chilwell’s goals, while Jorginho was a link in the chain for Reece James to scoop over Tim Krul.

Given Thomas Tuchel had Spanish international Saul Niguez on the bench and was without the likes of N’Golo Kante or City loanee Billy Gilmour it does perhaps underscore the galaxy of talent in the Chelsea ranks.

Nevertheless the time and space afforded the home duo was less about class and more about a lack of drive and desire between Kenny McLean, Mathias Normann and Pierre Lees-Melou. The Frenchman made way at the interval but the game was already up.

Whether you treat this outing against one of the best in isolation or not depends how charitable you feel. But Norwich’s central trio were well off the pace and punished as a result.

5. A barrel of salt, poured

A man down, five goals down and Chelsea are awarded a penalty for handball against Normann – once the referee had been advised to consult a pitchside monitor. But Krul won his battle of wits with Mason Mount only for the spot kick to be re-taken when the assistant spotted the Dutchman had jumped off his line, as Mount prepared to make contact with the ball.

Needless to say the England international made no mistake second time around. A decision correct in law but you would have to be made of stone not to feel some sympathy for Krul. He will know he should have done better when Max Aarons diverted Hudson-Odoi’s earlier second half cross, which squirmed through his body.

But there was little he could have done about the other barrage after being left so exposed by the men in front. When Gibson departed he was a one man barrier at times.

Krul was vital to those previous clean sheets at Burnley and especially Brighton. He remains an integral part of a team and a squad that is listing badly.

The fallout in the hours and days ahead will be suitably raw, but it will need players of Krul’s character and experience to lead. Few gave Norwich any hope before a ball was kicked this season. A seven-goal mauling against the leaders will only confirm what many felt was already inevitable.

City confirm Mathias Normann signing

Norwich City have completed the signing of midfielder Mathias Normann on a season long loan from Russian club FC Rostov – with the option to make the deal permanent.

Normann flew to England on Saturday evening to complete the formalities before flying out again to join up with Norway for upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

A potential club record deal is in place if City take up the option on the 25-year-old defensive midfielder at the end of the 2021/22 season – which is not dependent on Premier League survival.

“I’m glad to be at this club and happy to be here,” he said, speaking to City’s official site. “This will be very exciting for me. I know that Norwich play very good football and they like to keep the ball.

“They have a lot of energy. I spoke a little bit to the head coach and everything looks very good.

“I’m a defensive midfielder, I like to tackle, to win the ball and to use my body. I like to be on the ball and try to dictate the game.

“I think I’m ready for this level now and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

 

Normann was with Brighton earlier in his career, although never made a senior appearance for the Seagulls, but has spent the past three seasons in Russia and boasts Europa League experience with Rostov as well as seven international caps.

“We’re really happy to bring Mathias in. We’ve worked on this piece of business for several weeks,” added City boss Daniel Farke on the club’s official site. “It’s not easy for us to bring a player in who had many clubs interested in him.

“We see lots of potential in Mathias and he’s capable to play in several roles. He’s quite versatile in the midfield positions.

“Quite often, he plays the holding midfield position. But he’s very good with his passing choices and is a good technical player. He’s not the tallest but is still very good in the air and in the duels.

“We feel he’s the perfect addition to the squad and look forward to having him as part of the group.”

Normann will wear the number 16 shirt and the deal is subject to clearance from the relevant football authorities.

‘Tough day for Dimi’ – Farke on hooking defender in Man City mauling

Dimi Giannoulis paid the price for a bruising first half in Norwich City’s 5-0 Premier League defeat against Manchester City.

Daniel Farke made a double change at the break, with Bali Mumba replacing the left back who twice failed to prevent Gabriel Jesus setting up the Citizens’ opening two goals.

Kenny McLean also replaced Lukas Rupp, but Mumba himself was exposed after a bring start to his second half in an emphatic win for the champions.

Farke had words of encouragement for his Greek international afterwards, who he felt was second best defensively against Liverpool’s Mo Salah on the opening weekend.

“I don’t want to punish one of my players,” said Farke. “But everyone can see the substitutions I made. It was a tough day for Dimi. He is a brilliant lad. We are so happy we have him.

“But in the first game he has to defend Mo Salah and the outcome is one goal and two assists. Then in 20 minutes here his direct opponent, Jesus, had two assists.

“A tough day. I didn’t want to embarrass him by substituting him during the first half but you could feel he was not full of confidence. But it is his first season on this level and he needs time to adapt. Let’s be honest, we have played two of the best sides in the world.

 

“Bali (Mumba) was also there with the same behaviour and conceded two similar goals. He is a young player and one year ago he was a substitute for Sunderland in the third tier.

“We can’t expect them to cut the right winger into pieces. But I can’t hide it was a tough day at the office and we win and lose as a team.

“It was clearly a big ask for us to be competitive today. I am disappointed, nevertheless with not just the result but the manner of the goals we conceded.

“It was four times more or less the same goal, a ball inside my left back for their right winger. A process Man City always plays.

“They start attacks on the other flank and then look for that movement. We spoke about that topic all week. I would have wished that we fulfilled our defensive behaviour with some more individual quality.”

Farke opens up on Buendia club record transfer exit

Norwich City boss Daniel Farke had mixed feelings over Emi Buendia’s club record exit to Aston Villa.

Farke would have loved Buendia’s creative potential for the Premier League return, but believes his big money move was right for all parties.

“A fantastic player but there are times when you also have to accept the big wish of the player to have this type of move,” he said. “From the financial point of view it is an unbelievable amount of money, which in turn allows us to strengthen our squad.

“Perhaps not in his position but in other areas. We were able to bring in (Milot) Rashica already and this allows us opportunities to do other business. For all parties it was the right moment.

“Of course as a manager you want all the best players and I would prefer to still have him, but you cannot deny his will. It was the right solution. I accept this.

“You cannot praise Emi enough. That is for sure. Twice a title winner at Championship level and he played a key role in the best season in Norwich’s history, with so many goals and assists. But also his workload and pressing was outstanding last season.”

The post-Buendia era began at King’s Lynn Town on Friday, with Rashica playing the opening 45 minutes of a 3-1 friendly win at The Walks. The Kosovan international was officially unveiled last week, following a move from the Bundesliga that could potentially end up with a club record outlay.

“He will be a really good player for us,” said Farke. “He had some good movements, his finishing could have been better at times but he has shown in his career he is an outstanding finisher.

“It will take time to adapt. You see this with nearly each and every player who comes from abroad. The summer break was also difficult for him. He was involved with his national team and then he has to work a bit on his own in isolation.

Then he had to work very hard in these first two weeks of training but I think you can see what a quality player he is when his sharpness and fitness is there.”

Angus Gunn was another of the new intake on display, although the City fan is no stranger to Farke after his impressive previous loan spell.

“It probably feels like coming home,” said the Norwich chief. “He has been outstanding so far. His fitness level is very good. Maybe he had two or three seasons where it was difficult, in terms of his confidence and not playing games, to stay in his rhythm.

Plus a few injuries. It is quite important for him he knows this set up, he knows he is valued and he has shown his quality already.”

City draw up target list

Stuart Webber has drawn up his transfer target list, but Norwich City will need to play a game of patience ahead of their Premier League return.

City’s sporting director wants quality over quantity in the summer trading to bolster the Canaries’ survival chances.

But the on-going financial impact of the pandemic across the game, and the European Championships, could disrupt City’s spending plans.

The top-flight new boys are in the market for a centre back, central midfielders and a wide player.

“Are we going to be signing a £30m striker? Definitely, definitely not,” said Webber. “But will we spend more money? Yes. Will we potentially look to generate some more as well? Well, yes. The fact is we have to improve, we have to bring in players who can impact it from day one.

“That doesn’t necessarily mean a group of 28-year-olds, but certainly it’s got to be players who we think can improve our starting XI and give Daniel some really nice problems.

“The success of a window has to be determined at the end, when you look at your squad and starting XI, and you feel that’s better than where we started. Last time in the Premier League it wasn’t.

“The facts were there. I think it was only Sam Byram who ended up breaking into the team and becoming a regular. I think we’re going in with more resources this time, but it’s still more resources by our standards, as opposed to by others.”

Webber has already made no secret the club will consider offers for their crown jewels, with the lack of matchday revenue for the past 15 months due to the pandemic leaving a massive hole.

“I can only talk from our experience, if we’d stayed in the Championship, what we’d have been able to do would be greatly reduced, because we’ve lost over £30m now because of Covid,” he said. “So, you know, it’s a big hole to fill for any club. It will be a different market, it’ll be slow. But I think in the end, you’ll still see a lot of movement within the market.

“I think also having the Euros on this summer doesn’t help that, or the uncertainty about when supporters are back, and in what numbers next season, will have a knock on effect as well.

“Prices and wages will come down for certain players, but the best ones will still always demand the best. If big clubs want players they can still afford it.

“Let’s be honest, if you’ve got a billionaire owner, they can still afford it. What it will probably do is start to be squeezed from Championship level downwards.”

‘I will never work in a better dressing room’ – Farke savours City title no 2#

Daniel Farke revealed how much a second Championship title had taken out of him after Norwich City hammered Reading 4-1 at Carrow Road to seal the Canaries’ coronation.

Farke is the first ever manager in Norwich’s history to win two titles at this level, but against the backdrop of relegation and the on-going impact of the pandemic.

“The most demanding and challenging season of my life. The hardest work I have ever done,” he said. “So much energy needed to create this turnaround in mentality and mood. Two years ago it was difficult to dominate this league with young lads. But with the challenges we faced this time around it feels even harder.

“I am grateful for the trust and help of the coaches and backroom staff. Last but not least my players. I was in good dressing rooms as a player and a coach. The one we had here two years ago was outstanding but the spirit in this dressing room this year was second to none.

“I will never work in a better dressing room. All credit to the players. It was a joy to work with these lads.

“It feels a bit surreal and a bit strange to celebrate in an empty stadium. But what a great night. For the team, the cub and our supporters. To bounce back from relegation with the second title in two years at this level. I am not sure any club has done this.

 

“We had a responsibility to deliver for our fans in these strange times. We work in a privileged business but you could feel what it meant to the players to give something to our supporters, to the community as a whole. We wanted to represent this yellow shirt in style. I think we did.”

Paddy Davitt: Player ratings after Canaries’ 3-1 Bournemouth defeat

Here is Paddy’s verdict on Daniel Farke’s side, who had a bittersweet day with promotion to the Premier League the precursor to a Bournemouth defeat.

• Tim Krul

First time this season he had conceded three goals at club level. No luck whatsoever when his fine reaction stop from Andrew Omobamidele’s inadvertent touch saw the ball drop to Sam Surridge to slot. Beaten twice more by pure strikes from Arnaut Danjuma and Lloyd Kelly. Parried another rocket from Danjuma at his near post just past the hour mark after kicking away an earlier corner. 6

• Max Aarons

Thankless task trying to keep dangerman Danjuma under wraps. Did make one perfectly-timed tackle on the Dutchman deep inside his own box. 6

• Andrew Omobamidele

Given the carnage he was causing, the City youngster showed admirable maturity to hold up Danjuma on one notable burst in the area in the second half. Twice had to produce perfectly-timed blocks from Peter Biling. In a repeat of Preston concession over Easter a touch unfortunate to see a sliced clearance parried by Tim Krul for Surridge to slot the equaliser. 7

• Grant Hanley (C)

Took his warrior mantle to a whole new level when he appeared to over-ride his head coach, who wanted to introduce Alex Tettey after Hanley caught a sore one from Adam Smith. Tettey was stripped and the board had already gone up from the fourth official when Hanley appeared in front of the dugouts after being assessed by the physios. Last ditch clearance in stoppage time with Bournemouth threatening a fourth. 8

• Dimitris Giannoulis

Have to feel some sympathy for the Greek international for his early red card. Caught Ben Pearson after what looked a genuine attempt to win the ball. Bournemouth player did him no favours. A three game ban is rubbing salt in the wound. 5

• Kenny McLean

Slipped in Teemu Pukki for the early goal. Prominent in his own box, notably five minutes before the break when he rose in front of a posse of Bournemouth players to head a corner clear. Aerial threat almost brought reward at the opposite end on the hour mark when he met a Przemyslaw Placheta corner. 7

• Olly Skipp

His energy was even more valuable when Norwich went down to 10 men. But pressing in the key moments did not have his usual zip. Danjuma fed a ball through his legs for Surridge goal. Kelly’s howitzer also veered through his attempted challenge. Later cautioned for a foul on the niggly Pearson. 6

• Emi Buendia

A 13th goal of the season with a improvised finish of pure class. That came after he had already slashes a half volley wide. Could have put Norwich in front again a minute or so before Danjuma’s missile when he pulled a left footed effort just wide of Begovic’s post. Tried to add defensive ballast when Norwich were reduced to 10 men. One perfectly-timed challenge halted Danjuma at the end of the first half. But unable to thwart the attacker, with big consequences, on two later occasions. 7

• Kieran Dowell

Frustrating for him and City fans it was he who had to make way to get Jacob Sorensen on the pitch for another emergency shift at left back. Given how influential he had been in recent games. 5

• Todd Cantwell

Checked inside two but firing a rising shot over in the 28th minute, after Pukki had led the breakout from a corner. Nutmegged Smith cleverly but was hauled down as he approached the Cherries’ area just before the hour mark. Tried to link with Placheta on the counter but the Pole was not on his wavelength. 6

• Teemu Pukki

Exquisite assist in the manner he scooped a short pass between Bournemouth players with the right weight and timing for Buendia to slot. A nervous moment or two when he suffered a bang to the knee trying to twist past Cameron Carter-Vickers. Sprung a 60-yard counter before shovelling the ball to Cantwell. Emptied the tank in trying to press from the front with little back up before making way. 7

City substitutes

• Sorensen (for Dowell, 22) 6

Must have felt his days of being a left back were behind him. Will now in all probability get a late season flourish with Giannoulis suspended. Out sharply in the 39th minute to block a cross from the raiding Smith.

• Placheta (for Pukki, 55) 5

Whipped in a corner met by a glancing Kenny McLean flick that dropped wide. A heavy touch ended a promising City breakout and needed Andrew Omobamidele to bail him out with Danjuma threatening.

• Hernandez (for Buendia, 77) n/a

• Hugill (for Cantwell, 77) n/a

Paddy’s Pointers: Five observations from the Canaries’ 7-0 Championship rout against Huddersfield

Group Football Editor Paddy Davitt delivers his Huddersfield verdict after Norwich City’s 7-0 Championship romp.

1. Perfection

Not quite. Just after the final whistle of Norwich’s record-busting romp against Huddersfield Daniel Farke appeared to be having a one-to-one coaching session in the centre circle with Andrew Omobamidele. Or maybe he wanted to tell the teenage Irishman it is not always like this.

The 18-year-old and his team mates had just served up a scintillating slice of football that must have dazzled the nationwide live television audience. Norwich were ruthless and relentless. As they have been ost of a season which is hurtling back towards the Premier League.

Huddersfield’s hopes were hindered by a late change of keeper but they could have had two in goal and it would have not have stopped Farke’s rampant side.

A Teemu Pukki hat-trick. An Emi Buendia hat-trick of assists and a post-war record win at this level of the football pyramid. Not forgetting another leap towards the Premier League.

That is the ultimate prize but this stylish win will go down as the poster victory for what has turned into a Championship conquest.

When Buendia hobbled out of the action in the second half of a bruising Good Friday trip to Preston it seemed a long shot he would be able to feature against the Terriers.

Farke revealed in the immediate aftermath of that Deepdale draw he had wanted to substitute his Argentine ace at the interval after a heavy blow to his right ankle.

Buendia implored Farke to leave him on the pitch, before further damage to the same area forced his exit. But when Farke hailed his toughness on Monday you knew he would be in the starting line up. What a majestic footballer.

A goal and three assists before the interval. Adding to numbers that already set him apart historically in the Championship for an attacking midfielder. Surely only Ivan Toney could put forward a counter argument for Buendia’s campaign not to end with a player-of-the-season?

Alongside another title winners’ medal.

It is not the talent that you need to marvel at any more. It is the desire and the will to win.

The anguished cries when he misplaced a pass at 5-0 up early in the second half illustrated the high standards he strives to attain. The Championship should make the most of these final outings. He will not be back in his career.

3. Dancing Dowell

Apt perhaps as Norwich City close in on a Premier League return they have a young English talent with the potential to solve that problematic number 10 issue that blighted their last top flight tour.

Marco Stiepermann was not quite able to carry his Championship title-winning quality onto the grandest of stages. Kenny McLean and Mario Vrancic had little cameos, and there was even a mid-winter move for Ondrej Duda. Remember him? No, it was not the most memorable of loan signings.

Hence the capture of an Evertonian youth prospect good enough to be part of an England World Cup youth winning squad triggered palpable excitement ahead of this latest Championship assault.

Dowell’s early season ankle injury curtailed his bid to make a big impression but another goal in this game to add to his superb strike at Nottingham Forest underlined he has the ability to add a genuine end product. Not to mention the classy touches and ability to link with like-minded creative types.

Dowell has a club and a head coach who believe in him after an endless series of loans. How well he steps up to the Premier League could be a key factor in how well City adapt this time around.

4. Webber the showman

No chance. But not a bad way to mark four years in charge watching the club you have moulded hammer the club you left far behind.

City’s sporting director is not a man for the limelight. He is happier leaving that to those on the park, or the man he hand picked to lead that group of talented footballers.

Webber would be the first to underscore this is a collective effort. But it needed a visionary, a person with the drive and the energy to set a direction of travel and stick to it.

Be in no doubt, this has not all been plain sailing and champagne football. Webber had plenty of critics in a bumpy first season alongside Farke that ended in lower mid-table mediocrity and the ignominy of finishing below Ipswich.

How the fortunes of those two clubs have diverged.

Webber told any who cared to listen after Premier League relegation if there were Norwich fans in search of a scapegoat then look no further than him. Now he will be feted for masterminding what increasingly looks a second title success at this level.

But Webber never strikes you as someone happy to rest on his laurels. Or sit back in satisfaction. The job is never done.

He will want Norwich to make a markedly better fist of their latest tilt at the top flight. The planning is already well advanced.

5. Put the abacus away

Norwich need a maximum of four points to confirm their inevitable ascent to the Premier League.

Although the way Swansea and Brentford continue to leak oil, it might not even take that. After the Swans’ home loss to Preston on Easter Monday, Brentford were held to a goalless draw against Birmingham City.

The time for proper reflection lies ahead. But what an achievement.

Before the opening day trip to Huddersfield – Pukki squaring for Adam Idah to seal a hard fought win in the Yorkshire sunshine – Farke was very keen to place one statistic above all others. Since his arrival in England only one relegated top flight side had bounced back at the first attempt.

Fulham did it the hard way last season to get the better of Brentford in a play-off final that went to extra-time. Norwich have not only bucked the trend, they may have re-written the rules in the swagger they have pulled relentlessly clear of the pack.

You can debate where this crop sit in the greatest Championship sides of modern times.

But to roar back from an abject relegation, to sell two of their brightest youngsters, to navigate through the financial turbulence of a pandemic, and still set the standard is a feat that will surely stand the testament of time.

Paddy Davitt: Furious Farke and City’s quest for fairness

Daniel Farke does not strike you as a coach who lacks for inspiration. But his Preston team talk is already done.

The Norwich City head coach merely has to stick his words, re-produced right here in full, on the walls of the Deepdale away dressing room and stand back.

You would travel many miles to find a more personable individual operating at the sharp end of his profession. Farke always strives for the soothing balm rather than the barb.

We are in the fingers of one hand territory for the moments during his City tenure when he has let frustration get the better of him in his public pronouncements. Usually around the performance of certain officials or the vagaries of the video assistant referee technology.

Bad news, Daniel. There is more of that to come next season in the Premier League.

But the tone of his comments prior to this international break, when he appealed to switch a Good Friday trip to Preston due to international commitments, was sharp and tinged with bite.

Farke cannot understand the logic for keeping the fixture unaltered, when it comes so close to the final round of internationals for any number of his key personnel. A prophesy underlined on Wednesday evening with five of his frontline players playing the full 90 minutes.

A switch would have required Preston to agree, especially when there were no complicating factors in terms of broadcast requirements. The Football League, in this matter, merely held the ring.

Preston, as is their right, declined to shift the fixture. Leaving Farke to seethe and in all probability select a side populated by players who must travel direct to the team hotel on the eve of battle.

It might not quite be Onel Hernandez dropping in to Guatemala via a private plane, and presumably getting changed in the back of a moving vehicle, before his hasty half-time introduction for a Cuban debut. But it is just as ridiculous on the grounds of player welfare or the fairness of the competition.

And it prompted Farke to launch this impassioned plea for reason.

“We are the only league in the whole world who play on a Friday at Easter. If you ask me I am struggling to take this decision seriously. It is against all the values we should stand for in the EFL.

“We are proud we have so many internationals, proud we send players to England’s Under-21s but because they play on the Wednesday and we travel to Preston on the Thursday I think they will miss the game on the Friday. That is not helping the quality of the competition, or the fairness.

“We have 14 players away. Other teams have maybe one or two. It is against the integrity of the competition.

“We have these campaigns for mental awareness and other things but if we are made to play on the Friday then we should put all the pins and stickers in the bin because it is not fair.

“I could understand if there was television or crowds but there are none. I am struggling to respect this decision.

“If we have to find some solutions we will. We will have to see how many minutes the lads play on the Wednesday, maybe then weigh up covid tests, maybe the travel. The most important topic is the players come back safe, healthy and fit.”

The Football League may reasonably point out only Brentford’s trip to Huddersfield has been switched to the Saturday. So too the devilishly difficult equation of cramming fixtures into a season bookended by a summer finish last time around, and the upcoming re-arranged Euros this summer.

But Farke’s point on the volume of international calls is a valid one, and why this feels like a bigger handicap to the leaders than the majority. Preston’s interim chief, Frankie McAvoy, has had a fortnight to plan for City’s visit with all bar two of his international contingent.

Farke, and Norwich’s fans, may have reason to be thankful they have built such a points buffer at the top. Despite their best efforts it may well be they need to cash in such an insurance policy.

Should that be the case, Farke’s diplomacy will be stretched to breaking point when he conducts his post-match media duties at Deepdale.