David Wagner: Norwich City boss unhappy with boos over substitution
- Published
David Wagner was greeted by joint majority shareholder Delia Smith before kick-off against Watford
Norwich coach David Wagner criticised supporters who booed him during the win over Watford that lifted them into the Championship play-off places.
A "small group" of fans were unhappy when Josh Sargent and Onel Hernandez were substituted in the 55th minute.
Sargent scored one of Norwich's two first-half goals in a 4-2 victory.
"I would love if they stay at home if they have this attitude to only support if everything is nice, and not to help if it's difficult," Wagner said.
He told BBC Radio Norfolk: "I think the players deserve a little bit of respect. Me as a manager, I think I deserve a little bit of trust.
"Josh and Onel said at half-time they were struggling, and we wanted to try it [them playing in the second half]. Both made it clear they couldn't continue. This is why we made the substitutions."
The German continued: "This small group we have in the stadium, for me they are not supporters, because supporters support the team if they are on a low and try to push them and help them."
Tuesday's win put Norwich back into the top six for the first time since 20 September, boosting their chances of a return to the Premier League - from which they were relegated in 2022 - an achievement Wagner said would be "extraordinary".
He said the players had also been disturbed by the booing, and Watford drew level at 2-2 before goals by Gabriel Sara and Christian Fassnacht sealed the three points for the Canaries.
"I think proper supporters support their team when they need help, and this team needed help after the Watford equaliser," added Wagner, who guided former club Huddersfield to promotion from the Championship in 2017.
"We're speaking about a very small group which we have here at Carrow Road. But from my point of view, they were too loud and the players got affected. The dressing room speaks more about about this than the win."
Norwich will again be in action at Carrow Road on Saturday against Cardiff City, when they will be looking for their 11th home win of the campaign.
Wagner said: "The home record is OK - this should give everyone confidence. But we have to make sure we again have the right mindset to fight again for every inch, to be brave again, and if we get some energy from the stands as well this group has everything to play a successful game."
Rowe out for 'months, not weeks'
Norwich will again be without top scorer Jonathan Rowe against the Bluebirds.
Rowe limped off with a hamstring injury in last Saturday's win over QPR but Wagner hopes he will be back before the end of the season.
He added: "To give a clear timeframe, I cannot do it, but we speak about months not weeks. He does not need surgery, which is a good thing, but he will be out for a longer period."