David Wagner wants to strike a deal with Norwich City fans to whip up another Carrow Road win on Tuesday at Birmingham City’s expense.
A laboured 0-0 draw at Wigan checked the renewed optimism from a thumping 3-1 home victory over Hull a week ago to end a wretched run in front of their own.
City’s comprehensive triumph against the Tigers delivered a first win on home soil in the league since October 29.
Wagner would rather tap into that memory ahead of a Norfolk double header against the Blues and Cardiff City in the coming days.
“It was a big step because we had not won for a long period at Carrow Road, but we did it with a great performance, with a great support and a great atmosphere,” said the Canaries’ head coach.
“So come on, there is no reason why we should not all together try to do the same again - in the stands and on the pitch to perform on this level again. I'm pretty sure we can be successful, but together we all have to do our job, and I know that everyone in the stadium or on the grass understands we will try everything.
“Without a proper support, we will not reach our targets. This is for me 100pc the case. What I hope is that if the players produce performances (like Hull), with a lot of intensity, with a lot of energy, then it gives fans something to support.”
Wagner cited a lack of freshness as a factor in a sluggish first half offering at Wigan, but the City boss was quick on Monday to dismiss any concerns about a lack of fitness.
“We do everything we can in a busy spell like this in terms of our recovery strategies. I have every trust in my performance and medical department to get the players in the best possible shape,” he said.
“Then it comes to the moment we have to produce the performance. If you study the last game, of course, we were not happy about the performance but fitness wise it was obvious in that second half we were the side who really dominated the ball and wanted to create something. We don't have a fitness issue.
"If you have a fitness issue, then you break down in that second half, and this wasn't what happened last weekend.
“With so many games freshness can be an issue and through that you can take the wrong decisions.
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“Performance wise, we were not good, especially in ball possession. If I have to speak about the positives, then for sure the clean sheet, Gunny’s performance, very positive, how the players fought, positive, and the way our support backed us, positive, but in ball possession we were not concentrated enough and we made a lot of mistakes and a lot of turnovers.
“At the end of the day it's a point we take. But obviously, we know that we can play better. We did not hang too long on the Wigan game, because the next one is just around the corner.”
Birmingham arrive in Norfolk on the back of two league defeats, but can draw on plenty of experience with the likes of former Norwich City stalwart John Ruddy and well-travelled frontman Troy Deeney.
“Yes, an experienced team who may have lost the last two but nobody should look on the table or recent results,” said Wagner. “A direct team, they don't need a lot of passes to go into the opponent's half.
"We are aware about that. We have to make sure we play our game and we play to our strength.
"We will invest everything, because we know how crucial the three points are now at home. And we will fight for them for sure.”
Josh Sargent is ruled out with an ankle injury. Wagner indicated at Colney fellow frontman Teemu Pukki will be a ‘very, very late call’ after he missed the Wigan draw with the calf issue he picked up during the half-time warm up against Hull.
But Arsenal wide player Marquinhos is available again for selection. The teenager has yet to make an appearance for the Canaries after muscular problems.
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