Keep the faith is Daniel Farke's message to Norwich City fans following a painful 3-1 Championship loss to streetwise Sunderland.

The Canaries were punished for defensive slackness with old boy Lewis Grabban notching a brace and Aiden McGeady rifling past Angus Gunn. Farke is convinced a young squad will learn quickly from a Black Cats' mauling just days after a gruelling League Cup win over Swindon Town.

'We spoke about a lot of young lads on the pitch and although they have a lot of potential they make some mistakes,' said Farke. 'That is quite normal. I am not angry but when I step back a little bit I won't judge the lads too harshly because they are young players and they will make mistakes. It creates some pain to lose a game like this but mostly you learn a lot from these defeats. I am sure the players will improve from these experiences.

'We had 13 corners to one but we didn't have a really good chance and they scored from a set piece. We were a little bit too static as well in the behaviour of our strikers and midfield in the first half. We can improve in that area.'

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City's lack of punch to their possession was compounded by defensive charity.

'It doesn't matter whether it is Germany, England or Portugal. If you dominate the ball then you must be concentrated defensively because what happened to us can happen in any other league,' he said. 'The opponent has quality and can be effective if they get a chance. Sunderland is a team who are just relegated, who have high expectations and an experienced squad. So for us when you are able to dominate a game against them in terms of possession that is a really good sign but it is about effectiveness, which means defending well. It is not easy to score against them because they are well-organised and defend deep. Then you have to be concentrated for all the game.

'We spoke about how they use long balls yet we miss a header from a goal kick. That is a childish mistake. To be losing at half-time was ridiculous, a little bit the same in the second half. I am content with the lads and their working style but we have to be more awake.'