Norwich City head coach Daniel Farke believes there could be little to separate the Canaries and Reading in Wednesday’s Championship fixture at the Madejski Stadium.
Discussing the Royals’ season so far, Farke was full of praise and noted that to be in the position Reading are in at this stage of the season shows it’s not a flash in the pan.
“You have to say they have done a fantastic job,” he said. “It is 18 games so it is not like you can say it is early doors. They are in a good position and they are one of the best teams in the league. They have many talented attacking and defensive players.
“We are also in good shape. We are there in a good position and it will be a game when small margins will decide it.”
“I think once I came here they were one of the favourites and very possession based. Jaap Stam was in charge. However, you could go through every club with this. Lots of teams have changed managers.
“I think I am one of the longest serving managers and it is incredible when you think of that. I feel honoured and privileged to work for a club like this. I think it is always good to be level, and not to be over the moon after a few wins, or too critical after two or three loses.”
Although Norwich are at the top of the Championship table going into this fixture, the nature of the relentless football schedule, when positions can change quickly, means no-one is getting carried away.
“In these leagues there are fine margins,” Farke said. “It is very tight. With three of four defeats you are in a bad position and with three of four wins you are in a good position.
“The head is very important within football. I got the feeling in pre-season that mentally we were in good shape and that we could win tight games and be there late in games and score two goals after the 80th minute.
“You always have to work hard and stay very, very focused because as soon as you go into a game with one or two percent less focus you stand no chance.
“We always want to go into every game wanting to win the game. However, you need to have the mentality that when, for several reasons, there is not the chance to win it, it is important not to lose it. However, we go into every game wanting to win the game. This is in our DNA.”