Whelan's Words: Daniel Farke's discipline paying dividends at Norwich City
Daniel Farke's discipline and the fans' and owner's patience have been key to Norwich City's quick climb up the table, according to Noel Whelan.
Sporting Life's Sky Bet EFL Championship expert and former professional Whelan believes putting a clear, strong plan in place and being patient over the last two seasons is now starting to reap it's rewards for the Carrow Road club.
Since their demotion from the Premier League, Norwich have finished 8th and 14th in their previous two seasons.
In that time they have appointed Stuart Webber from Huddersfield Town as their new Sporting Director, made unknown German Daniel Farke their manager, and improved their European scouting network, which has aided their recent recruitment drives.
All were designed to build a more sustainable club, built on stronger structures, which did not rely solely on big spending.
That plan was tested last term, with a bottom half finish. That would spell the end for most managers, however Farke was given the whole season and backing to continue, with a view to building for this campaign.
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That potentially looked the wrong call, as the Canaries won just one of their opening six Sky Bet EFL Championship matches this term, losing three.
However, since that stuttering start, Farke's outfit are currently on a five-game winning streaking in all competitions, with four league victories in a row for the first time in two years. It's shot them up to eighth with 17 points, just five off top spot going into Wednesday's clash with Derby.
Speaking on Sporting Life's Sky Bet EFL Championship Podcast Whelan said: "Norwich are the silent assassins of the Championship. They've just crept up there without really being noticed.
"They've won some really tough games recently. Middlesbrough and Wigan have been two of the best teams so far, while against Reading and QPR you have to fight and grind it out. So they've passed different types of tests recently, which is impressive."
"Daniel Farke will be delighted with the last few weeks and especially pleased with how the squad has responded from the slow start.
"This proves fans have to give managers time to adapt and change their squad accordingly to what they need in the Championship. It's such an unforgiving league and you need the right type of players to deal with that."
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As well as patience the former Leeds United, Coventry and Middlesbrough forward believes discipline has also been a key driver in Norwich's upturn in performances.
Portugal striker Nelson Oliveira has not played this season after a fall out with Farke. With 42 league goals for Norwich to his name, it appeared a big call to leave the forward sidelined. However Norwich sit joint-ninth as the league's top scorers to date with 14.
"People forget that he still has Oliveira in his squad and is not playing him. He is one of their star strikers and is not being used. So it shows he has a lot of discipline in that squad, and a lot of faith and confidence in himself not to be playing this player after clearly having a fall out.
"He has a fear and a respect, and that's what players need. Players need to know the manager will make big and brave calls when pushed. They need some fear, especially at this level. He seems to have earned that respect and it's driving better performances.
"Norwich have found a good formula and are clearly playing for their manager."
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Odds and statistics correct as of 0810 BST on 03/10/18
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