David Wagner is setting high standards and demanding more from his group of Norwich City players despite their 4-0 victory over Preston North End. 

Kenny McLean believes that mindset is what is required to inject some upward momentum into Norwich's campaign as they seek to resurrect their push for promotion. 

Performances like the one visible at Deepdale on Saturday will help with the belief of everyone associated with the Canaries - but their head coach is keen to keep their feet on the ground. 

McLean has revealed that Wagner opted for some constructive criticism during the interval to focus minds rather than lavishing praise on their first-half display that saw them race into a comfortable lead. 

“We’re three nil up at half time but you wouldn’t think so in the changing room,” McLean joked. “That is what we want to be like.

"Even though we were 3-0 up, we were still trying to put things right and make things better. The second half was about managing the game, it was a bit scrappy but we got the job done.

"There was a spell in the first half where they did have five minutes and we invited pressure onto ourselves. You cannot be giving teams that. There are definitely things that we can improve on but this was a step in the right direction.

“Every manager is going to bring their own style and their qualities. We need to be playing at a higher intensity and putting them under pressure more.

"We want to put teams under pressure, we want to create chances for forward players which we haven’t done enough of so it’s nice to see some hit the back of the net today and it only builds confidence, especially for the forward lads.

"We’ve got plenty to work on and we have a long way to go because I’m sure the manager will pick the bones out of that and find something to bring up. We still need to improve, we can improve and we will improve."

Eastern Daily Press: Kenny McLean enjoyed Norwich City's 4-0 win at Preston - but believes there is plenty more to come. Kenny McLean enjoyed Norwich City's 4-0 win at Preston - but believes there is plenty more to come. (Image: Focus Images Limited)

McLean still feels there is plenty of work to do to fully adapt to Wagner's style of play - and with that process will naturally come some teething issues in the weeks ahead.

"It’s about adapting to the way the manager wants to play and I think we’ve done it pretty quickly but there’s still improvement to be had," the Scot said.

“That is what fans want to see. When it works you can see that. Last week, it was a mistake for the goal which hopefully we can cut it out and the more we do it, the more accustomed to it we come to playing this way.

"There might be a couple of hiccups along the way trying to do it but it’s part and parcel of it. We are still learning on the job and trying to get as good as we can and we’ll keep improving.”