The Canaries’ sporting director has come under increasing scrutiny for the club’s poor form after a start to the Championship season that has cost Liam Manning his job as head coach just five months after Knapper led a recruitment process to hire him.

Poor performances, underperforming new recruits and an inability to keep players coinciding with that regressive form have all led to fingers being pointed in Knapper’s direction. He has faced protests outside Carrow Road alongside a petition signed by 1,500 supporters calling for him to be removed from post.

Knapper accepts responsibility for City’s failures – but insists the pressure is motivating him in his efforts to lead the recharge alongside new head coach Philippe Clement.

“If anything, it just makes me more determined. Nobody is more frustrated or self-critical than me, but I’m committed to this 100pc,” Knapper told the Pink Un at Colney on Wednesday.

“I still have the fire in my belly, the energy and, if anything, it makes me more determined because I know what I’m capable of. I know that I can turn this around, and I’m convinced that we will.

“It’s not about talking, it’s about action. Hopefully, over the next weeks and months, everybody will see that.”

Norwich City sporting director Ben Knapper sat down with the Pink Un at Colney on Wednesday. (Image: Sonya Duncan/Newsquest)

So why should those fans that have turned against Knapper come back on side and get behind his efforts to lead the charge after the club slipped to 23rd in the table – four points from safety?

“There’s nothing that I can say that will convince them,” Knapper said. “It’s about us taking action and winning games on the field. That’s what it boils down to. We’re not doing that.

“I understand that, and that’s on me. Talk is ultimately cheap, and whilst I think there are good things that we’ve done and could point to, this is not the time for that.

“We’ve not won anywhere near enough games and we’ve lost way too many. For this club to be sat in the position that we’re in now is completely unacceptable and that’s on me.”