Leeds United

David Wagner sets Norwich City squad a major Elland Road task ahead of Leeds United showdown

Published

2 months ago

May 15, 2024

Former Huddersfield Town boss David Wagner believes his Norwich City side can last the distance and seal a place in the Championship play-off final later this month

Norwich City head coach David Wagner feels the longer his side can frustrate Leeds United in the second leg of their Sky Bet Championship semi-final will only help increase the pressure from an expectant home crowd at Elland Road.

Both teams cancelled each other out in a goalless first leg lacking clearcut chances at Carrow Road on Sunday – although Leeds did see an effort from Junior Firpo ruled out for a marginal offside call.

With the other semi-final between West Brom and Southampton also locked at 0-0, there remains very much all to play for in the battle to reach Wembley on May 26.

had finished the regular season in third place, with a late dip in form ending hopes of automatic promotion for Daniel Farke’s side. Norwich, meanwhile, ended the campaign in sixth – winning just one of their final five matches.

While Leeds may well be viewed as favourites to get the job done in the second leg, Wagner – who took Huddersfield up to the Premier League through the play-offs in 2017 – believes Norwich can last the distance.

Of course I would have loved to win it (the first leg),” Wagner said in an interview with Canaries TV following Sunday’s game.

“But I have experience (of the play-offs) – and I know a draw at home is a good result where you can really put pressure on the opponent, especially away from home with the longer the game goes.

“We are fully in the race, so I have a positive mood. I know what we are capable of.”

Adding the drama on Thursday night will be Norwich looking to edge out former boss Daniel Farke, who had guided the Norfolk club to the Championship title in both 2018-2019 and 2020-2021.

Scotland midfielder Kenny McLean – one of half-a-dozen current Norwich players from Farke’s successful squad – feels there is plenty of life left in the tie.

“It is always cagey in the first leg of these games, nobody wants to lose and go in (to the second leg) with a disadvantage,” McLean said on the Norwich club website.

“It sets us up for a really big game and one we are looking forward to. We are still well in the tie and confident we can do it.

We will prepare as well as we can and give ourselves every opportunity.”

Norwich continue to monitor top scorer Josh Sargent after the United States international was taken off towards the end of the first leg with an ankle problem.

Forward Ashley Barnes has been sidelined by a calf injury which ruled him out of the final game of the regular season and also Sunday’s fixture, so it remains to be seen if he will be fit to be involved again at Elland Road.

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