Chris Sutton: Why Norwich City and Wagner have surprised me

From 17th in the table and seemingly an open civil war across factions of the club, the turnaround has been remarkable. Irrespective of what happens from here, David Wagner and his squad deserve credit for the journey they've been on. 

Norwich have taken 55 points from 30 games. I was at the Blackburn game back in November for Sky Sports and it looked unlikely that Wagner would survive the night as City boss, let alone the next five months. 

I didn't see Norwich City working themselves into this position, nor did I see Wagner lasting the season.

The atmosphere in the stadium has been much improved. It's been lovely to see supporters going to Carrow Road with an expectation, a smile on their faces and getting right behind their team. That's because Wagner has turned things around. 

There seems to be more patience now. It may sound small, but the reaction to Saturday's draw against Bristol City was incredibly positive. After every game when they've dropped points, fingers have been pointed, sometimes fairly and sometimes unfairly, towards Wagner. You only have to go back to Sheffield Wednesday as an example of that. 

But this result and performance was met with more consideration, and in the ground, the crowd stuck by them. Even that is a major win and a sign that he has managed to navigate a major storm in his tenure. 

Add to that the fact that this is a strong Championship in terms of quality, and their run becomes all the more impressive. 

They've still got a job to finish. Norwich don't want to be going to Birmingham on the final day in need of getting a result given what Gary Rowett's men are likely to be playing for. One win from two games will secure the job for me. 

It's about having confidence in the team. After the aforementioned run of form, there should be plenty more of it around. They have plenty of experience and have emerged through adversity looking stronger as a side. 

The dressing room has remained together, but it is a pretty experienced dressing room, and plenty was made of that at the start of the season.

Eyebrows were raised when they signed Ashley Barnes and Shane Duffy, but they are battle-hardened players who know Championship and Premier League level. That is useful when it comes to navigating the adversities and crunch moments the league throws up. 

Duffy has made mistakes and suffered injuries over the season, but he is coming to the fore at the right time. Hopefully, that experience will get them over the line, along with the sprinkle of quality from Gabriel Sara and Borja Sainz. They are looking a well-balanced side. 

Shane Duffy has proven his worth to the Norwich City cause. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

The key will be keeping important players fit. Wrap Josh Sargent in cotton wool because he has made a huge difference. Everyone has a different mindset when he is in the team—he is a leader of the line who provokes confidence. 

Jon Rowe's return is timely. They are in the fortunate position of being able to build up his fitness ahead of the play-offs and it gives Wagner food for thought over his starting XI. 

I suspect the players are feeling pretty bullish, but they need to show concentration to finish the job. 

They just need to keep going quietly about their business. Clubs who sneak into the Championship play-offs tend to do pretty well once they're in them. Norwich can be put in that category. 

The others within that play-off picture would view them as a massive club at this level. There will be underestimation from whoever becomes their opponent, provided they can get there. 

That run they've been on has built up momentum and confidence. Those are powerful characteristics for any side when they have them and incredibly difficult for any opponent to halt. I think it's those characteristics are more important than the way they've clawed their way into this position. 

It's been done a little bit differently. Norwich aren't a possession-based team. They aren't as attractive to watch as others in the race, if we're being honest, but what Wagner has found is a balance. Over time, he's tailored the way he's managed to get the best out of this particular group. 

This group has its deficiencies in certain areas, and they get found out at times, like at Leicester a few weeks ago, but the team has great strengths, like finding a goal out of nothing and the three S' in Sargent, Sara and Sainz. Nobody would want to come up against them. 

Whether you'd describe the play-offs as a lottery or not, there is no reason for Norwich to fear anybody. The first objective is to get through a two-legged semi final in any way possible to set up a Wembley date. 

Norwich haven't lost to Southampton or Ipswich. But they've struggled against Leeds and Leicester. 

Ipswich, whether we like it or not, have been miraculous this season with their form and resilience but Norwich have found a way over the last 15 years of getting the better of them. 

In many respects, that worries me, and I wouldn't be talking it up too much. I know fans enjoy the rivalry, but if they did draw Ipswich in the play-offs then it certainly wouldn't be a stroll. You can imagine their dressing room is absolutely desperate to beat Norwich. 

Whoever they get, it's going to be difficult. But nobody will want to play them, especially at Carrow Road. 

The truth is you look at that Norwich side and wonder how it would fare in the Premier League and how the brand of football would hold up - but it's not even worth thinking about. That is something to worry about if they can get the job done. 

Will Norwich City meet Ipswich Town again in the Championship play-offs? (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

We've seen how difficult it is for Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton, and the truth is that the three promoted sides from last season will come straight back down.

Some Norwich fans won't want the team to go up after recent experiences - but my personal view is that you need that personal ambition to move the club forward. 

Surviving in the Premier League can be done. Look at Brentford. Look at Fulham. They are not bigger clubs than Norwich. But nobody should be getting ahead of themselves.

The focus has to be laser-like on first getting into the top six and then finding a way to win them.