Gareth’s work tops says Dan
CANARIES boss Daniel Farke is warning his high-flying side against complacency.
Ahead of today’s clash against Wycombe, he stressed how impressed he has been with Gareth Ainsworth’s work at Adams Park.
Norwich go into the game on the back of four straight wins but were made to battle before two late goals saw them dispatch struggling Birmingham in midweek.
Farke said: “I like what Gareth is doing. He has delivered for years and they are brave and they go with their style.
“They always want to bring their style on the pitch, try to bring their offence and I like this, I like this bravery.
“It is a sign of their fighting spirit that they go into games with bravery and togetherness.
“And it is fantastic what they are doing.
“I would like them to stay in this league because it is good to have these characters.”
MATT LOWTON faces Jose Mourinho today – but for the Burnley defender the real “Special One” is Sean Dyche.
The Clarets boss has been a big part of Lowton’s football life ever since Dyche almost left the young Chesterfield fan with a broken ankle.
“I was at the semi-final of the
FA Cup against Middlesbrough at Old Trafford in 1997 and I was only seven,” recalls
Lowton.
“Sean was captain of Chesterfield and when he scored a penalty to make it 2-0 there was pandemonium.
“I was stood on a seat because I was only small and couldn’t see. They flip back, so when that folded, I had my foot stuck and someone pushed me forward. “I don’t think my dad even realised because he had run down the aisle celebrating.” Dyche (left) has made amends since, signing Lowton from Aston Villa in 2015, playing him over 160 times for Burnley and handing the right-back, 31, a new two-year contract last month.
“Since I have been here he’s been the biggest and best part of my career,” said Lowton (right).
“I have learned so much from him, on and off the pitch and I cannot imagine working with anyone else better.
“He’s the Special One for me, there’s no doubt at all. That’s why I was absolutely delighted to sign a new deal because I have loved every minute here.”
PERFECT MATCH: Rodgers and Tierney in their Celtic days
MIKEL ARTETA looks at clubs like Leicester and appreciates the jobs they have done over the past two or three years.
He sees the building blocks they put in place and the rewards they are now reaping as a result.
The Arsenal boss knows his club need to lay similar foundations but is not blind to the fact that they need to get a shift on.
Because if they do not they will fall behind the likes of today’s opponents the Foxes and even further off the pace being set by Manchester City and champions Liverpool.
Arteta (right) said: “You have to be constantly evolving that squad and if you haven’t done that for a year or two you get caught up. “You see what Liverpool have done in a few years and the team they were able to develop. “Manchester City have two teams. “It’s work that doesn’t happen overnight.
“We are in a rebuilding moment. “But at the same time, this club cannot stop. This club cannot be thinking this is a project – we have to win.”
A key part of Arteta’s plans for the future is Scotland full-back Kieran Tierney – a player he would like to see have a growing influence within the squad.
He said: “The right words would be determination, passion and energy – that’s all about Kieran.
“How determined he is, how much he puts into every game and the energy levels he provides to the team.
“He was a threat again against Benfica on Thursday.”
Willian has struggled since his arrival but Arteta is backing him to come good.
He added: “He is a player who we all like. We were expecting more things from him. Hopefully Thursday’s display is going to give him the platform and belief.”