The Canaries suffered humiliation at Home Park, having been comprehensively beaten by the newly promoted Championship outfit on Saturday.

City supporters parted with hard-earned money and embarked on a 700-mile round trip to Devon that began for some in the early hours of Saturday morning. McLean was apologetic towards those who travelled in support.

“We don’t deserve the support that they have given us today on that performance,” McLean said.

“We can only apologise and most of them probably won’t be interested in that apology because of how much they’ve put into us and that’s what they get in return.

“We need to put things right quickly; that’s the only way we can do it and show them how much we care on the pitch. Right now, they won’t want to hear anything from any of us and rightly so because we have let everyone down.”

Norwich have an opportunity to produce a response against Birmingham at Carrow Road next weekend with their season at a crossroads.

David Wagner is expected to field an inexperienced side in the midweek cup trip to Fulham, but the focus will be on proving they are capable of answering the pressing questions that have emerged after that demolition in Devon.

McLean knows that hard work holds the key to coming through this tricky moment for the squad.

We will process it and go over this,” he said. “That is not one that you just get over and move on from – no chance. It’s a harsh lesson and we need to learn from it. We need to know the mistakes we have made and put it right. We have so much work to do.

“We’re not looking for excuses about anything. There are no excuses to be made. We will take the criticism that is going to come our way and deservedly so. We’ve been criticising each other in there.

“It’s something we need to apologise for and put right. It is a test of character. I’m not questioning the character in there but after that today, there’s lots of things to be questioned – let’s just get back, work, keep our heads down and forget about that start of the season.”