All of Norwich City’s international contingent have returned back to Colney safe and sound, Daniel Farke told the assembled media at Friday’s pre-Swansea presser.
I always have a hint of worry whenever there’s an international break that those players that go away, the likes of Timm Klose, Teemu Pukki, Jamal Lewis and Max Aarons might come back injured. You can’t stop or blame the players for wanting to play for their country. It’s a huge honour and one that we’d all jump at if we were in that position, I’m sure.
All of those four have been in superb form for their countries, as well as, of course, the Canaries and are massively important first team players.
Farke also spoke about the value of the warm weather training trip to Tampa Bay, talking about both the training and commercial benefits to the club.
Daniel Farke is about to speak to the media ahead of tomorrow's away game against Swansea. Live updates here 👉 https://t.co/TsiNUHDB7k#ncfc pic.twitter.com/SA6AyXI2DL
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 23, 2018
Another Norwich City player, who has been in fine form is Alex Tettey, who Farke described as being in “outstanding condition” and approaching the form of his life.
“Alex Tettey is an outstanding character and it’s always a good sign when you can improve even you are an older age. He can be a role model for each and every player” Farke said.
“It’s important you want to improve in each and every moment and we always speak about this topic. I think he is in an outstanding condition, he works a lot additionally, and I think it’s important for him that he feels trust and is crucial to our game.
“He knows there is a lot of competition and all these points show he is not far away from being in the form of his life and long may it continue.”
Ben Marshall and Todd Cantwell should also both be available if selected, while Grant Hanley is set to play for the U23s. Hanley has been back in training for three weeks now but the form of Klose and Zimmerman looks likely to keep him having a watching brief for a while longer.
Not a bad player to have as an option though, eh?! The U23s will give him a chance to get some match sharpness back.
Disappointingly though, Kenny McLean was still described as being a “few weeks” away yet. He’ll be like having a new player in January!
There was a warning about Saturday’s visit to Swansea (3pm) though and their possession based football.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that Swansea were beaten 0-1 by Ipswich Town at the Liberty Stadium, which is still Town’s only win of the season. That win could, in my opinion, best be described as a bit of a freak.
Swansea still have a large number of their squad from the Premier League and they look as though they are still adapting to the hurly burly of the Championship. Currently sitting in eighth place in the table and only 7 points off the top spot, the Swans are well placed for a promotion challenge and with the return of Wilfried Bony to full fitness after nine months out, they will fancy kicking on sooner rather than later.
This won’t be easy and City will find themselves up against a team that like a lot of the ball, especially at home. They have struggled to convert chances though, which assuming Bony starts from the bench, could be the difference. Which team takes their chances?
OTBC