Why Wagner can't win at the Canaries

NORWICH are flying. One defeat in eight pre-weekend. Challenging for the play-offs. Scoring for fun. So why is David Wagner so unpopular?

- Chris Dunlavy

Sure, it's only a minority who jeer his every move. But it's a noisy minority, and one so persistent that it provoked the usually sanguine German to issue a public rebuke in the aftermath of a recent victory over Watford.

"We are talking about a small group but I think they should stay at home if they are going to be like that," said Wagner after supporters booed the second-half substitutions of Onel Hernandez and Josh Sargent.

"It was just unacceptable in my view." Wagner explained that the duo were nursing injuries, and it is notable that when the same two players were withdrawn during last weekend's 4-1 win over Cardiff, the boo-boys kept schtum.

Yet if there is a degree of recognition that the Watford protest was misjudged, the broader sentiment even amongst more moderate supporters - remains.

In the infamous words of Canaries co-owner Delia Smith, they ain't 'avin him.

Understanding why is difficult. A perceived conservative streak and tendency towards negative substitutions are amongst routinely aired criticisms of Wagner, as is a playing style more effective than expansive.