Farke trio make their Deutsche marks
NORWICH boss Daniel Farke is confident his recent German signings will be ready for anything in today’s East Anglia derby against Ipswich.
The Tractor Boys head up the A140 to Carrow Road seeking a first victory over their Norfolk rivals in almost nine years.
With both teams standing on 44 points in mid-table, a win would boost hopes of a late play-off push.
Farke brought in German trio Moritz Leitner, Onel Hernandez and Dennis Srbeny ahead of the January transfer deadline.
And he will have no hesitation in throwing all three of them into the heat of derby battle at lunchtime today.
“Derby games are difficult to predict. You can’t say there is a favourite because there are lots of emotions and both teams are highly motivated,” Farke said.
“We have to be prepared for a game full of intensity. In general you have to do all your base stuff and keep it close.
“It means a lot for this game and we want a good result.”
Former Borussia Dortmund II coach Farke was appointed in the summer and guided the Canaries to a 1-0 win at Portman Road back in October.
“The new players feel how important the game is for the club and supporters,” the head coach, 41, said.
“They have spoken to their team-mates and they have got an idea of how much it means.
“Moritz played in Germany in the biggest derby – Borussia Dortmund v Schalke – so he knows what to expect.
“All the other guys are prepared and all of our players know what the derby means.”
Norwich come into the match on the back of some recent improved form, with just one defeat in their previous eight Championship matches.
Town boss Mick McCarthy, though, is determined to provide Ipswich supporters some long-overdue local bragging rights – their last triumph at Carrow Road coming back in February 2006.
“I’m aware that we have not come out on top in a few years so it would be great to end that today,” McCarthy said.
“The supporters have been long-suffering against Norwich so we want to win it for them.”
Norwich v Ipswich, Today, KO 12pm, SS Main Event