Daniel Farke insists he is not flogging his Norwich City players after a national media report claimed his squad is ready to mutiny over the head coach's training methods.
The Independent carried a digital report on Thursday afternoon suggesting Farke's frequent 'double sessions' had compounded City's poor results on the pitch, that see them go into Friday's Championship fixture at home to Brentford in 16th place.
Farke is adamant such claims are well wide of the mark.
'We haven't argued in the dressing room. We haven't spoken to the players about this article. I am a big believer in hard work. I will always believe you get what you earn,' he said. 'For that, as a professional footballer you have to work pretty hard. We are blessed to work in this business. It is a gift to be allowed to do so.
'Look at the statistics. Last season, we were the poorest team in the last 15 minutes of games last season in terms of conceding goals. Right now, we have been the best for so long and now we are second best in terms of our goals scored and conceded record.
'Secondly, this thing about double sessions. That makes it sound like each and every day.
'Let me tell you the training plan for this week. We had the game at Leeds, then on Sunday morning training only. Monday was a day off. Tuesday we had a double session, the second part in the gym.
'That was normal stuff for all the players with our fitness coaches. On Wednesday and Thursday, only one session. So in the whole week, one double session only which included a gym session.
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'If that is too much for a professional footballer then we have to say we only meet for the games and in the week we can have some Christmas cake and drinks. That wouldn't work.
'I don't think it is too hard for the players. We always try to find a good workload. It mentioned in the article that one or two players are not content with the workload. I don't think so. To be honest when you lead a group of 25 players you can't fulfil all the expectations and dreams because you can only play with 11 on the pitch.
'It is quite normal that not each and every player is involved every minute. I don't expect those to be in a brilliant mood. They are not going to be 100pc happy. That applies for every football team. I don't have to speak about our togetherness.'
Farke is adamant the mood inside the City dressing room remains positive despite a tough run of results.
'I have praised the atmosphere all season. The attitude is outstanding for a professional football club,' he said. 'I can't imagine on this level of football there is another dressing room like it. Obviously it is easier when you are in position one in the table.
'When you are struggling with results and lower down the table it is more difficult. I don't pay attention to this article. You can ask the players how the atmosphere is.
'This is the first negative article I have read in recent months and that was a surprise to me.
'I would have expected maybe more articles of this nature. I have learned in recent years not to pay too much attention to things like this. The truth is in the dressing room and the relationship with the guys.
'Even in the poor results or poor performances I have always praised the attitude and work rate. This article said I called the players too soft. That is not true.
'No, I am not angry. It doesn't influence me in my work or the relationship with the players. It has no importance and no truth.'
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