"We never listen..." - Exclusive: Shane Duffy issues David Wagner claim amid mixed fan views | OneFootball

Norwich City defender Shane Duffy has insisted that the whole of the Canaries squad is behind boss David Wagner as they battle for promotion from the Championship.

The German has had to withstand a mountain of pressure over the course of the season, as the Norfolk-based side struggled to maintain their early season form, which saw them slide down the table.

A run of seven defeats in nine league games between September and early December saw the them slip down to as low as 17th in the league table, with the absence of key man Josh Sargent leaving a gaping hole at the heart of their attack.

But the American’s return to action has coincided with their rise back up the table, with just one defeat in the calendar year ahead of this weekend’s journey to Blackburn Rovers.

Norwich City squad stand by boss Wagner

Few could have predicted the turnaround in Norwich’s season when the same two sides met in November, with the Canaries languishing in the lower half of the table.

But former Brighton and Hove Albion man Duffy admits the whole squad has always been united, despite what unrest there may have been in the stands and the outside pressure.

“You’re used to it as a footballer, you’re always getting questioned every week and people have their own opinions, which is fine, but we never listen to the noise outside,” the centre-back told FLW, via Sky Bet.

“It’s an experienced dressing room that’s been through a lot. It’s more about sending the same message every day, even if we’re going through a bad run.

“We still stick together because there are 46 games in this league, and anything can happen.

“We know we have the quality, the personality and the manager to get through that and I feel like we have, and hopefully we keep our squad fit, that’s the most important bit, and we know we’re strong enough to beat anyone in this league on our day.”

Canaries a cut above with recent form

A look at the recent form table on soccerSTATS shows us that only Leeds United have earned more points than Norwich in their past eight games, with Daniel Farke’s side racking up eight straight league wins to amass 24 points.

Wagner’s troops are the best of the rest though, with 17 points to their name with five wins, two draws, and a solitary defeat - the same record as Coventry City - while automatic promotion candidates Leicester City and Southampton have chalked up 15 points.

It's no coincidence that Norwich's upturn in form has coincided with Sargent's return to action; the American international has proved to be a pivotal part of Wagner's side, and was sorely missed in the four months he was sidelined with an ankle injury.

The 24-year-old has five goals in his last four league matches as he makes up for lost time on his return to action, with a brace in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Cardiff continuing his red-hot form.

Wagner will have to get used to life without fellow star man Jon Rowe for the near future, with the 20-year-old ruled out for 'months' with a hamstring injury - according to the Eastern Daily Press - but this recent resurgence shows all the signs of an end-of-season flurry from the side in yellow and green.

With Sargent back among the goals alongside Gabriel Sara they will be pleased they stuck to their guns with Wagner when times got tough, this season could still turn out to be a special one.