Cardiff City v Norwich City: Thorup Championship preview

After navigating a Stoke reunion with Narcis Pelach and Ben Gibson, the Canaries had to dig deep to claw back two goal deficits against both Preston and Middlesbrough.

But a trip to Cardiff on Saturday brings an encounter with a Bluebirds’ side, under interim boss Omer Riza, who have taken more points from the past five league games than every other team bar Leeds.

“They are an in-form side at the moment, and it's going to be a tough one for us,” said Thorup. “They've played some very good games. We had a big meeting about them and how we can create some openings against them, but also how we have to defend against them, where they look in their best moments calm on the ball.

“They create some good opportunities with the two strikers that drop deep to receive in between the lines, and then have two wingers on the outside who can dribble and who can create some space where they want to bring their full backs, as part of that attacking game.

“We have to be solid defensively, and we have to avoid too many situations where they can break the lines for us and go in between and create the game from these positions. It also gives us some opportunities on the counter, if we are good enough in defending.

"Like always, when we prepare we have to go into details. We have to create a structure that fits everything in the game, both defensively and offensively.”

Kenny McLean is suspended for the first of three games. Marcelino Nunez and Angus Gunn are not likely to be back this side of the upcoming international break. Ashley Barnes, Liam Gibbs and Onel Hernandez are longer term absentees.

Christian Fassnacht did return to training this week after his Achilles injury, but City are believed to have fresh fitness issues in the camp ahead of the latest Bluebirds' test.

A Boro comeback was a third straight Championship draw, and a sixth in total this season for Thorup's side.

“There's a fine balance, because when sometimes we're in front the game can change within a second in this league,” said the City chief. “But there's also something about how we approach the minutes just straight after we score a goal.

"I'm not completely satisfied with our reactions to that. I think we can be even more offensive in that part of the game. The first five, eight, 10 minutes after we score to see if we can chase the next goal. The fact is we have conceded some goals just a couple of minutes after we have scored, which is not good enough. We have to be better there.

“That's one of the reasons why it's been too many draws. And then, of course, also because it is tough games. Especially when we go away from home we have to make sure that we can have as much as the game where we can be dominant. These two areas of the game are where we can improve.”

George Long will again deputise for Angus Gunn, who is working his way back from a side strain (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) Thorup was not fooled by the epic nature of last weekend’s Carrow Road Championship classic against a slick Boro outfit.

“Some games when you look at them after the final whistle you think, ‘Okay, maybe we are a little bit disappointed with only one point at home’,” he said. “But some of the games that we play are also a huge step to where we want to go, and building a culture here in a little bit different way.

"The team spirit, the mentality in the group is just fantastic, and we keep on building on that, and we keep doing everything we can on a daily basis to improve that, but also highlight that, because that will make the difference in the tough moments for us.

“That was exceptional to see from the boys. Of course, there will always be moments where we think we can be better. We've spent the last couple of days on that, looking at where to improve. I think there was some good stuff, besides the goals we scored, but also the chances that we created.

"But I also think those moments where everything got a little bit too hectic we didn't take care of the ball well enough, and didn't have long enough attacks, which opened us up for some transitions. After 12 games you expect there is still room for improvement.”

City’s travelling support may be heavily outnumbered in Wales, but Thorup believes that culture and identity he is striving to build has already achieved buy in from the terraces.

“Not to sound arrogant at all, because that's not the purpose here, but I think it is the benefit from trying to create a clear identity, and everyone can see what we try to do here,” he said. “Not only me, it's all the coaches, it's all the players, it's everything we do on a daily basis.

"When we reach out to the community, when we reach out to the people in the city, whatever we do representing Norwich City, I think we try to build that identity for everyone to see, and they know what they can expect.

“We try to be as open and as honest as possible. When we're not playing well we address it and we say it, and when we're playing well, we do the same. When people feel that, they also feel that they're closer connected.

"And I think what a football club needs, and especially in a fantastic city like this, is that we connect the club to the fans and to the people here.

“It's not the club against the people, it's not the club against the fans. It's everyone together. So when we leave Swansea after a defeat it is us losing, and that means the fans as well, and the other way around when we win.

"That's the clear identity we try to build here. And I hope that is the reason why we get great support, even though we are conceding goals, even though we are behind in games, we receive great support.”