Togetherness is an ingredient crucial to Norwich City's play-off charge, and Shane Duffy thinks that was born from their tough spell in the autumn.

The Canaries are firmly in the hunt for a top six finish having been on a run of picking up 44 points in 23 matches. With eight to go, the mission is to now get across the finish line to tee up a promotion shootout. 

Despite plenty of adversity, they have remained together as a squad, united in the belief that a play-off finish was a possibility. 

That opportunity is ahead of them, and Duffy believes that the tough spell of seven defeats in nine has unconsciously pushed the playing group closer together, allowing them to rise to the challenge that has been in front of them in recent weeks. 

"I think it has pushed us together, probably without realising it," Duffy said when asked if that bad run brought the team together. "Especially when you've had some tough away games. That's down to the character and we're in a really enjoyable moment.

"Being injured has been quite tough, but even coming into the place when it's been buzzing has been enjoyable.

"Everyone is helping each other. We know that we're getting injuries here and there, but we have still been able to get the results - that's a really important quality of a good squad."

Duffy's calf injury has left him as an observer in recent weeks, and the Irish international has been enjoying recent performances and results even through the frustration of his own absence. 

"I would use the word pride because everyone there, bar Sydney (van Hooijdonk), has been through a really tough period in the season," Duffy told the Pink Un. 

The Pink Un: Shane Duffy has been a key player in the Championship for Norwich City this season.Shane Duffy has been a key player in the Championship for Norwich City this season. (Image: Jordan Blyth/Reverb Digital)

"To have the character to come back and come through it is a hard thing to do in football, especially when you're going through a really bad period. I've been really proud to watch them every week, especially in the Carrow Road games where I can get to and watching the football has been delightful.

"It's been very good, and you can smell the confidence around the place at the moment, even after having a couple of key players out. We have to use everyone in the squad at the minute, and they are all playing at a really high level."