Johannes Hoff Thorup is convinced Norwich City will be even better by Christmas.

The Dane has only lost twice in the Championship since arriving at Carrow Road in his opening 12 league tussles.

City have 12 more before the end of the year, and the promotion-chasing Canaries are bang on track for Thorup.

“I'm pleased with where we started, where we are now, and also, when I look at the group, I cannot wait to see where we are in December, because if I expect, it seems to be even better”, he said. “Based on what I see out there every day.

"We've taken some big steps, and we've played, what is it, 12 games in the league so far, and the difference from Oxford to now, everyone can see that we are building, we are developing and we're improving, and that's what it's all about.

“We also still have to accept that there will be moments where it's more difficult for us, and there will be moments where we have to defend more than we actually want. And these are also the moments where you learn and where you grow as a team. But I'm pleased with the development.”

City head to Cardiff on Saturday after two epic comebacks to salvage draws against Preston and Middlesbrough.

“We can talk about tactics all day, but if they don't bring the heart and the passion and the team spirit to the games, then no chance,” he said. “It wasn’t just these last two games that we have shown it so far this season, but we have kept on showing that.

"The guys know now, ‘Okay, we can be 1-0 down, we can be two goals down, but if we get it right we can work ourselves back into the game’. It’s not for me to mention my work, it's the guys and what they do for the team, and for the team bonding as well.

“I think we already knew about this team and the mentality in the group where we can fightback. That's impressive, and that was also my message to the players (after Middlesbrough).

"I told them that when we do like it that, maybe in this game it is only a draw and one point but we are definitely building for the future. When other teams have to play against us they see this, and they see this mentality in the group and they know they have to bring their ‘A’ game to beat us.”