Daniel Farke may exude an easy-going charm but the Norwich City head coach left his players in no doubt any repeat of their Hull horror show will not be tolerated at Barnsley.

Farke ranked City's defensive display on Humberside as the poorest for many a month, with the Canaries fortunate not to be cut adrift before James Maddison moved centre stage.

A fresh round of injury and illness concerns may limit his room for manoeuvre, but Farke insisted on Monday it is too easy to focus on Norwich's recent switch to a back four for the root cause of a below-par display against the Tigers.

'It is important to be flexible. I don't think we had a problem at Hull because of our tactical formation.

'It was more a bad, bad day individually,' he said.

Eastern Daily Press: Daniel Farke has plenty to ponder with a number of late fitness calls for the Barnsley game. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdDaniel Farke has plenty to ponder with a number of late fitness calls for the Barnsley game. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

'We have played many games and kept clean sheets with a four-man formation.

'I am looking forward to having Christoph (Zimmermann) back fit because it allows us to give Grant (Hanley) or Timm (Klose) a break, as well as playing in the three-man formation.

'In the last 30 games we have been much better defensively.

'To have this one setback after 30 games it is important to be honest with the players, to be self-critical and look at what we could do better but this is not the moment to doubt.

Eastern Daily Press: James Maddison notched his first career hat-trick against Hull. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdJames Maddison notched his first career hat-trick against Hull. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

'You have to accept one bad day can happen but I don't lose my trust in the players and we will be much better defensively at Barnsley.

'I am pretty sure we will show a reaction.'

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Farke accepts the relegation-threatened Tykes will prove no less obdurate than the likes of survival rivals Hull and Bolton.

City were held by the Trotters at Carrow Road, after carving out a series of first half chances, and were on the wrong side of a bizarre seven-goal, four-penalty contest at the weekend.

'They will be desperate and play with a big will to fight and be aggressive,' said Farke.

'A bit like Hull, they won't be full of confidence or comfortable because of their situation in the table and we have to use that.

'If we are really honest after 30 minutes (at Hull) we fought back to lead and then there was a naïve mistake from a young lad.

Eastern Daily Press: Christoph Zimmermann is still struggling with the effects of a sickness bug. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images LtdChristoph Zimmermann is still struggling with the effects of a sickness bug. Picture: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd (Image: ©Focus Images Limitedwww.focus-images.co.uk+447814 482222)

'If there had not been that penalty in the second half I am pretty sure we would have driven home with some points.

'But we didn't focus on that one incident with the players. It was the first 30 minutes and our behaviour before the fourth goal for Hull.'

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