City defender Shane Duffy defends ball-playing abilty

The Irishman has gone from strength to strength after a wobbly start to the Championship campaign, emerging as a pivotal cog in Thorup's machine as the Canaries' collective improvement continues. 

In a system that relies heavily on central defenders being comfortable in possession and playing a key role in their phases of deep build-up, Duffy has grown in confidence with each passing game. 

Duffy fulfilled a similar role under Graham Potter at Brighton and City's coaching team have used clips from his days at the Amex Stadium to help him adapt to the requirements in this system. 

The experienced defender is happy to prove people wrong with his work in possession and has credited Thorup's game model with providing him with plenty of options when on the ball. 

"When they came in, they sat me down and showed me my clips from the Brighton days," Duffy told the Pink Un.

"It's similar to how they want to build up here, and they knew that I could do it; it was just about giving me that confidence again. I didn't play at Fulham for a year and came into a different style of play last year.

"I always knew that I could do it, but people don't think that I can because I'm not a dribbler or John Stones - but I can pass a ball, and I'm really comfortable on it when I'm confident.

"The manager has been great because in this team you have so many options. He wants you to play, even in a tight space, that's what we're doing in training so the team know that.

"I'm feeling confident, and it helps when you have really good midfielders in front of you. It's been really enjoyable." 

Shane Duffy is loving life in Johannes Hoff Thorup's system. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) At 32, Duffy has proved there is plenty of growth still to come within his game. He marked his 50th Norwich appearance with a 4-0 victory and clean sheet on Saturday.

There have been plenty of on- and off-pitch challenges along the way, but the defender is now in a better place and keen to prove himself. 

"It feels like 500," Duffy joked. "It's been good. There have obviously been a lot of ups and downs - I wasn't satisfied with last year, and I've come back with a point to prove that I can play for this team and under this manager."