The Championship side are out to cause an upset at Bournemouth in Tuesday’s Carabao Cup tie and their young German manager has them on an impressive run

When asked about Bournemouth’s Carabao Cup opponents, Eddie Howe described Norwich as “one of the form teams in the country”. It sounded like flattery, of the kind that might lull the opposition and gee up his troops. But Howe elaborated: “Their strength this season has been with their team. They have an attacking philosophy and they have momentum, so we have to be very careful. They’re a dangerous team.”

Howe has become one of the most admired managers in the country in part through his attention to detail, so perhaps it is not surprising to find him familiar with Daniel Farke’s side. He will also remember Norwich as one of the teams who accompanied his side into the Premier League in 2015. At the same time he is right; there is something going on in East Anglia.

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Whereas Howe’s Bournemouth have endured, even thrived, since they reached the top flight, Norwich lasted one season. A chastening return to the Championship led the club to perform a complete overhaul while also cutting costs. But now Norwich are bouncing back. With a new philosophy on the pitch and in recruitment – one not too different from that of Bournemouth – they have 23 points from their last 10 matches, the best record in the EFL.

On Saturday Norwich edged a 1-0 victory over Brentford (another club with a similar approach) to go fourth. The decisive goal was scored by Emi Buendía, a 21-year-old Argentinian signed from Getafe. On loan in the Segunda Division at Cultural Leonesa last season, Buendía had impressed, providing 13 assists. He was persuaded to move from Spain to Norfolk for £1.5m and is beginning to find his feet. His first goal for the club, on Saturday, was sumptuous, taking a 50-yard pass that was flying over his shoulder and firing first time low into the net.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Daniel Farke’s Norwich have won nine of their last 12 games in all competitions, losing only once. Photograph: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Buendía was one of seven summer signings and most have bedded in well. The German playmaker Moritz Leitner has made a telling difference, able to knit together the preferred possession game of Farke. In goal Tim Krul has proved his value since signing on a free. Two strikers have also been brought in: one a figure familiar with the Championship in Jordan Rhodes, the other the Finland international Teemu Pukki, who has rebuilt his career since a challenging time at Celtic. The pair have nine league goals, two fewer than all City’s forwards managed last season.

A series of canny acquisitions was occasioned by necessity. Norwich finished 14th last season and even that was largely thanks to the consistent excellence of James Maddison. When the attacking midfielder moved to Leicester in June for £22m, the money was desperately needed. After temporarily plugging holes in the club’s finances, the remainder was carefully spread around the squad. It led to a more balanced side, as Howe has noted.

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Transfers are the responsibility of the sporting director, Stuart Webber. His strategy for the club also involves the promotion of youth. Fixtures in the side during the club’s recent run have been three academy graduates – Jamal Lewis, Max Aarons and Todd Cantwell – the highest number for many years. Lewis, 20, and Aarons, 18, are full-backs and natural athletes, with Lewis a Northern Ireland international. Cantwell, 20, is an even rarer find; a Norfolk-born fantasista, full of flicks and tricks.

The youngsters have played their part in Norwich’s good run. They have also helped form a connection between the fans and Farke. The German’s first season at Carrow Road was one of extremes, where a 10-game unbeaten streak could be followed by one win in the next 10. Farke does not need that to happen again but after 15 months in charge his team are more at home with his style – and more suited to it. The play is quicker than last year too, which also pleases the fans.

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Farke’s side are the underdogs at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday and defeat would be no disgrace. He has rotated in the competition and seems likely to do so again (as no doubt will Howe). But Norwich thrived last season in big cup games at the Emirates and Stamford Bridge, with Lewis’s late equaliser against Chelsea a particular highlight. Farke seems to like knockout competition and Norwich will enjoy this opportunity to keep their momentum going.