Daniel Farke knows a derby against Ipswich Town is more than just a game after his winning debut at Portman Road.

City's 1-0 Championship victory earlier this season was the German's first taste of the cross-border tussle.

'To be honest, I felt it when I went out on the pitch during the warm up,' he said, speaking at Colney on Wednesday afternoon ahead of this weekend's Carrow Road return.

'From each minute it was even more exciting until we scored the goal. You felt what it meant to the supporters and to our club.

'At the final whistle it was outstanding and it felt like one of the biggest days of our whole season. Sadly, about 48 hours later we had a big game at Arsenal so we were not able to celebrate this derby win.

'We know how big it is.

'It is important for me to find a good balance. To be concentrated and make the players concentrated on the topics.

'We need quality, not just passion, but it also helps if the players feel how important it is for everyone who works at the club and the supporters.

'It gives them extra motivation.

'I have to calm them down a bit but it is necessary to feel this is a special day. We always want to give 100pc, but maybe on this day you want to give a little bit more.'

MORE: Have your say on our Pinkun forumCity have only lost one league game in eight but Farke has again poured cold water on the prospects of his side making a late play-off charge.

'Right now, we are near the top on the form table,' he said.

'Our performances have been really, really good but I keep in mind no other club in this league has earned more money in transfer fees or lowered the wage bill to the same level. This is a period of change.

'I can't expect my lads to be there with 16 wins in a row and compete with Wolves who can spend millions.

'We are building a new squad with young lads who are greedy to play for Norwich.

'A game like Derby shows we can play at the top of the table but you cannot expect this level every week.'

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