The focus of the discourse in recent times has been on David Wagner, the head coach of Norwich City, and his position at the club. With other areas of the club in flux, it was inevitable that the pressure would fall on him. Norwich City finds themselves in a difficult situation, with a sense of disillusionment and frustration among supporters. Their recent performances and results have been concerning, with only two wins in the last ten matches and high numbers of goals conceded and shots given up. In fact, only the current bottom three teams in the Championship have taken fewer points than Norwich in the last six matches.
The defensive offerings of Norwich rank amongst the worst in the Championship, as shown by both the data and the eye test. While their attacking numbers are better, it is irrelevant if they are conceding more chances to their opposition than they are creating themselves. The team’s defensive transitions have been causing them problems repeatedly, highlighting structural issues that need to be addressed by the head coach and his staff. While injuries have had an impact on their play and press, every coach has to deal with this challenge, and it is about adapting and adjusting tactically.
The lack of adaptation and adjustment was a criticism faced by previous Norwich head coach Daniel Farke, whose possession-hungry style remained even after implementing changes to the team. Wagner has his own set of fundamentals, but there needs to be a recognition of the problems and a willingness to find solutions. Norwich have shown brief spells of improvement, but ultimately things need to change if the current form is to be turned around. If no changes are made, both the form and the credibility of Wagner will continue to decline, leading Norwich further down the table.
Norwich City’s decision-makers have often been criticized for their slow decision-making process, and this situation risks following a similar path. Other clubs in the league are making swift decisions based on trends and signs of decline, and Norwich cannot afford to be left behind. With the uncertainty in other areas of the club, it is crucial that action is taken sooner rather than later. The supporters have stood by the team, but there is a shared consensus that the current situation cannot continue. Changes need to be made quickly if Norwich’s season is to be rescued.
