David Wagner is warning his Norwich City squad any slacking will not be tolerated as he bids to revive the Canaries’ Championship promotion bid. 

Wagner had an immediate impact in a 4-0 romp at Preston on his league bow, but wants no let up to recover lost ground after a festive descent that sparked Dean Smith’s exit. 

“Nobody should rest,” he said. “I'm a strong believer as good and as hard as you train is as good as you will play. If you like to take your hand brake, and put it on during the week in training, it doesn't work with me.

"I like to have full throttle in training, because then you can perform on the grass. If you don't invest everything over the training week I have no idea how it should work to switch it on from one second to the other on a Saturday.

"This is not how I think it works. And this is not how we like to set up our mentality when we come to work, day in, day out. 

“For me, the most important thing is that everybody knows his role. And everybody knows that it is important to invest every single second on the grass, in training, specifically in training, and then if you get the starting shirt, good, if not, come on and continue. It does not stop after one game. No, it goes on and goes on. And this is important.” 

 

Todd Cantwell and Jordan Hugill looked poised to leave during the January transfer window, but Wagner has seen enough already to know the academy pipeline is in place. 

The City chief is still assessing his roster before any final decision on trying to bring in reinforcements ahead of deadline day. 

“I don't think you have to have a huge squad, with so much talent here, but I like to have competition, for sure,” he said. “I don't think it's necessary in a football club where we have such a great academy. If they are able to perform consistently when they get into the first team training environment, then we keep them with us.

"Some have already trained with us. Everything I've seen so far makes me quite confident for the future. 

“It makes no sense now to name anyone, as I don't like to put pressure on individuals. But there's talent here. And I really look forward to working with them.

"Obviously when this window is closed, when maybe there is some space in the squad, then we will consider whether there is a space for one of our academy players. We have a few weeks more time to get a better overview.”