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Daniel Farke addresses the media ahead of Norwich City v Derby County. Updates to come from 1.15pm.
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DF: Ben has trained the whole week with us and was in our plans for the weekend game, then yesterday evening there was some progress. I can confirm he hasn't trained with us today because he's in more than advanced talks with his agent and a club. I'd say it's likely a deal is done in the next hours or days, but if not I'm a happy man.

DF: Whoever signs Ben can be happy. It's no coincidence he's played for England U21s. It will be a record fee for Norwich City, so that says a lot about his potential.

DF: I'm pretty sure one day he'll play for the best clubs in the world. He has the potential to lead the proper Three Lions, so I'm pretty happy I've been able to work with him so far.

DF: We have developed some of the greatest prospects and talents for this country, starting with James Maddison. Sadly, we lost Jamal already and it's pretty likely we lose Ben, but we still have talented players.

DF: I'm always highly motivated to win football games, and that's more likely with your best players, but I'm not naive. If there are crazy offers, we have to listen to them and make a decision.

DF: I have more than one tear in my eyes because it makes my life not easy, but I have all the best wishes for Ben Godfrey.

DF: We didn't have to sell Jamal or Ben because we have no financial pressure. Three years ago, the club was financially nearly ruined. We're more than healthy after these transfers.

DF: We don't need to sell any player, but we never prevent crazy offers coming in. If Barcelona rings again tomorrow, you never know what will happen. It's important we try to grind out as many points as possible, then when the transfer window shuts, thank god we can concentrate on our normal task.

DF: It's difficult to be really focused on the Derby game. Discussions and rumours distract the players, and it's a surprise when Ben isn't taking part in training. But we have to focus, that's our job.

DF: Everyone has to be fully switched on and full of desire. We can't afford for one player to have five percent of thoughts away from the game, that's why we make late decisions on who is involved.

DF: Derby won't be full of self confidence, but after a poor start in terms of results, you concentrate on the basics and work even more with the knife between your teeth. They have experienced players like Wayne Rooney.

DF: These lads know what to do when you have a spell of two or three back to back losses, so we are prepared for a difficult and demanding task. Derby will be desperate for a good performance and a good result.

DF: It's not a happy day when we sell a top class player and character. It's still important to see the bigger picture and there are many reasons to be proud.

DF: The reputation of our club is one who develops the best talents with the most potential. That doesn't help much on the short term. We achieved an outstanding title-winning season, and then experienced how difficult it was to stay on that level without spending any money. Hopefully, when we return we can invest in the squad.

DF: Players are sad when their best teammates leave, but the expectations are much higher now. Everyone expects us to win every game. After Bournemouth, it was a difficult week for us.

DF: We dominated Bournemouth, especially in the second half and had two penalty decisions against us, so it was an unlucky loss after our best performance of the season.

DF: It felt like everyone was concerned we weren't good enough, so that shows how the expectations increased. People think we can fly over each opponent and beat them easily, but that's wrong. It's unbelievably difficult to win games on this level.

DF: We've handled a situation like this before, and we'll stick together and show steel again. The club will always be more important than any player or staff member.

DF: The COVID situation hasn't helped us, but we've still showed it's difficult to deal with us. If we have to sell a player, it's for crazy money.

DF: I'd like to stop selling players because we don't want to be the richest club in the whole world. We also want to win some games!

DF: I was asked about the team selection last week and I was honest. I choose to give you my true opinion just to take players who are fully switched on. There's no exception for any player.

DF: Of course Todd and Emi should be our offensive players, but I had the feeling they weren't at the focus level that we need. I made clear that I didn't want to blame them, because it's normal for humans to be affected by rumours and potential bids.

DF: You wish they can put it to the side and deliver on the training pitch like Max and Ben, but I understand not everyone acts in the same way. But I will not let my demands drop because it would send the wrong message out.

DF: It's a tough decision to travel without Todd or Emi. There's not one player I've supported more than them. Even when there's an unnecessary red card, I protect them. We need their quality.

DF: If they're just training with less discipline, which I understand, I can't pick them. If I did they would think 'even with 70 percent I will be picked'.

DF: It would send the wrong message to the teammates if they can train however they want and still be picked. Either you go with less quality, or you lose your demands, and I will never let my levels drop.

DF: Let's return back to the top level. Without desire, discipline or hard workload, you have no chance of being picked. And that's an important message to send out. Each week is a new chance.

DF: I'll draw a line under this Buendia and Cantwell story. We definitely need them fully switched on and they have all chances to be involved if they deliver on the training pitch.

DF: You can always count on Mario. He's always reliable and is a player I love. In my first season, I kept playing him and everyone was moaning about him being too slow.

DF: He proved how valuable he can be for us and was there with some genius performances in our Championship winning spell, then everyone was singing his name. When he wasn't involved last season, everyone was asking where he was.

DF: If you love football, you have to love Mario Vrancic. Sadly, he's not the youngest and was never the quickest, but always a good choice to play him deeper in midfield when you have control over a game.

DF: He's also a good option in number ten because he has goals and assists in him. Marco Stiepermann is also available as the best number ten on Championship level. Todd can also play this role.

DF: I was more pleased with our build up against Bournemouth compared to Preston. We needed control over the game to bypass the pressing. It was difficult to create big chances against a five-man formation.

DF: To be a bit more tidy and precise in the final third and have the cutting edge with the perfect speed and timing - that final bit of quality to have clear chances means we don't have to rely on penalty decisions of the referee.

DF: Placheta is out for the game with a muscle strain in his hamstring in the last minutes of the Bournemouth game. It's not a big topic and he'll be back after the international break.

DF: Zimmermann has no problems, Hanley is back in team training, Gibson has had a good four weeks in training, and Klose has trained in the last days, so four good options.

DF: It's not like I'll judge them overly strictly, but they're all experienced. We need to play them even if they're not in their rhythm, and fingers crossed everything works. We'd have preferred to give pre-season games to Gibson or Hanley, but that wasn't possible.

DF: I totally trust them to handle the situation with their quality, experience and top class character.

DF: In pre-season we had four clean sheets in five games. We started the season with one at Huddersfield. It's a big topic for us.

DF: We didn't allow Preston to have many chances and against Bournemouth we conceded from unbelievable quality from Danjuma. Otherwise we've looked quite solid so far.

DF: After a game, Xavi sometimes asks me why something wasn't a foul, so he has to adapt a bit to English football. I'm not willing to let my standards drop and to be defensively solid is one of our key topics.

DF: Xavi is a bit different in comparison to Jamal in terms of positioning and in his skills. Jamal could defend more or less every winger because he was physically outstanding, that's why Newcastle wanted to sign him. Xavi is more attacking with great crosses.

DF: If there was one weakness for Jamal, perhaps it was a lack of assists or goals. Xavi still has be solid defensively and he's been impressive in the first three games.

DF: To be a work in progress and thrown into the cold water, he's proven already he can swim.

DF: Phillip Cocu has experienced everything in his career. He knows how to stay calm and show a reaction. I would prefer to play this game when Derby weren't under as much pressure, because they'll be switched on and motivated to show a performance.

DF: I'm not addicted in judging them by points. They haven't been miles behind the opponents in their three games and have dominated possession. I'm sure they'll have worked on the goals they conceded.

DF: Placheta is top class and a great lad. I thought it would be longer until we throw him into the mix because the brand of football is different here.

DF: He's been involved in crucial situations, so I'm pleased with him so far. It's not good news that he's not available tomorrow. His pace and bravery can change a game.

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That's all the topics covered by the boss this afternoon, join us tomorrow for a splendid three points. otbc

Posted By: DrDublin, Oct 2, 14:14:57