Johannes Hoff Thorup is challenging his Norwich City side to raise the bar even higher when they return to Championship business.

The Canaries took 10 points from 15 between the first international break of the campaign, and the latest domestic shutdown.

Swansea were the only side to beat Norwich in that period, although Borja Sainz could have salvaged a result with a number of late chances in Wales, while Daniel Farke's Leeds earned a point at Carrow Road.

City return to league action at Narcis Pelach’s Stoke on October 19, and Thorup aims to use the time wisely again at Colney.

“I think we're improving. And I think for everyone to see we’re actually getting better, more or less from week to week, is important,” he said. “If I am going to be honest enough to sit here every week and tell everyone that we are actually doing great work, then sometimes you as a journalist or a fan need to see that on a Saturday. We're getting there.

“Maybe it was because of that last international break we had the time to dig into even more details, and to find out how we should plan for the next block of games.

"I hope we can do the same now, have some clear facts on the performances, have some eyes on our details in those games, and then make sure that we do good planning again leading into the next block.”

City’s free-flowing attacking football is only one part of the equation for Thorup.

“In the difficult moments, they really stick together, these guys, and they really do everything they can to solve situations and support each other,” he said. “I really, really like these moments, because that's also what football is about.

"We spoke in half-time (against Hull), that we should not lower our expectations in terms of the standards and how we perform. There will always be moments in football where you really have to dig deep, and if you can do that, and you can overcome it and then you have good results and good performances.

"I'm really pleased with the attitude and mentality from the boys, also the guys coming on from the bench, because they just support it again.”