In an attempt to help Norwich City over the play-off line, Shane Duffy is aiming to overcome inconsistent play.
The Irishman has missed eight Championship games due to a calf injury, but he expects to return for their Good Friday matchup against Plymouth Argyle following the current international break.
With 28 Championship appearances since joining the team on a free transfer from Premier League side Fulham last summer, Duffy has established himself as a staple in City’s defensive line.
His goal in moving to Norwich was to put an end to the 18 months of dissatisfaction and inconsistent playing time. Although that box has been checked, the 32-year-old with experience has thought back on his time at Carrow Road and is actively seeking to get even better.
It’s been quite erratic. I am really truthful with myself. I know that during the first five games, I played very well at first and was beginning to regain my form, but after that, my confidence took a slight fall and I started to suffer consequences for every mistake I made.
In an attempt to help Norwich City over the play-off line, Shane Duffy is aiming to overcome inconsistent play.
The Irishman has missed eight Championship games due to a calf injury, but he expects to return for their Good Friday matchup against Plymouth Argyle following the current international break.
With 28 Championship appearances since joining the team on a free transfer from Premier League side Fulham last summer, Duffy has established himself as a staple in City’s defensive line.
His goal in moving to Norwich was to put an end to the 18 months of dissatisfaction and inconsistent playing time. Although that box has been checked, the 32-year-old with experience has thought back on his time at Carrow Road and is actively seeking to get even better.
It’s been quite erratic. I am really truthful with myself. I know that during the first five games, I played very well at first and was beginning to regain my form, but after that, my confidence took a slight fall and I started to suffer consequences for every mistake I made.
“That obviously does affect you whether you’re an experienced player or not, but I just kept trying to go on,” Duffy stated to the Pink Un.
“I felt like I was putting a few performances together when I turned things around at the beginning of the new year in terms of performances. Then, I felt powerful and fit, thus the injury happened at a really horrible time. That’s how football works.
“I think my consistency has been a touch off. I’m proud of myself for persevering through both my great and bad times; I’m glad I got the chance to work with the manager and that I overcame the challenging period of not playing for a year and a half.”
Due to injuries to captain Grant Hanley and Jacob Sorensen, Duffy has been City’s first-choice right-sided defensive option.
Sorensen has taken up the slack while Hanley is still recovering, and he has performed admirably alongside the dependable Ben Gibson.
Duffy is enjoying the greater competition and is hopeful that it will enable him to find a higher gear in his game.
Shane Duffy is ready to defeat rivals in order to regain his spot for Norwich City.(Photo credit: Focus Images Ltd./Paul Chesterton)
The former Brighton defender exclaimed, “It’s great.” We probably didn’t have it during my sticky phase since Danny (Batth) had just signed but wasn’t up to par with Lungi (Jacob Sorensen), Grant (Hanley), and I were all hurt.
“It’s possible that the competition forced me to focus more intently than I otherwise would have, but everyone knows that competition inspires and motivates improvement.
“I had to maintain my level of performance to maintain my spot because I knew Grant was returning at the time I was hurt. It’s captivating. Lungi has had a pretty difficult season, but his last few games have been great, so I’m happy for him.
“Everyone will push the other. The fact is that right now, I don’t really care who plays as long as we win and make it to the postseason.”
The timing of Duffy’s absence was inconvenient for both him and City. Both parties have been compelled to exercise patience in spite of their attempts to get him back after their 5-0 thumping at Rotherham.
While several members of the first team are abroad for the international break, Duffy is intensifying his return preparations and has provided an encouraging report on his development.
“It’s excellent right now. I’m here full week to get ready for training the following week. With any luck, I can make it through that and be available on Good Friday,” he remarked.
“At first, it was annoying because I had intended to return a little earlier, but I experienced a small setback. I tried to return for the Rotherham game, but I decided to wait until after the break since I was starting to feel some calf pain again.
Personally, I’ve found it frustrating, but what I’ve been viewing is excellent. Reentering the group and being part is a very thrilling moment. See if I can get back in, will I.
The defender has an exciting stretch of games ahead of him, which includes a challenging doubleheader against Norwich and Leicester before the last five games of the season.
Duffy is enjoying the intense strain of the upcoming matches. A block of eight games will decide whether Norwich finishes in the top six and advances to a promotion shoot-out.
As the Championship season approaches its final stretch, Shane Duffy is feeling quite positive.(Photo credit: Reverb Digital/Jordan Blyth)
It’s clear that this is the season’s most significant section.All games are cup finals. You have to approach it that way.
“There are eight games remaining, and every single one of them—including the ones against Bristol City, Swansea, Plymouth, and Leicester—is really significant. I’m very happy to be returning.”
Although Norwich’s stellar record may have been disrupted by the international break, Duffy believes it will help the team concentrate and help them distinguish between the remaining eight games and the rest of the season.
It’s come at a really excellent moment for me personally because it’s given me the opportunity to train for a further seven to ten days, increasing my fitness level so that I can return feeling energized and ready to give it my all for the eight blocks.
“As soon as everyone is back from internationals, the manager will sit us down and have a little discussion because this is it now,” Duffy stated. “To finish in the play-offs and cross the finish line is like winning a little league.
The guys are playing with such confidence that it’s evident throughout the venue. We will need every player since we have some difficult games coming up.”
“That obviously does affect you whether you’re an experienced player or not, but I just kept trying to go on,” Duffy stated to the Pink Un.
“I felt like I was putting a few performances together when I turned things around at the beginning of the new year in terms of performances. Then, I felt powerful and fit, thus the injury happened at a really horrible time. That’s how football works.
“I think my consistency has been a touch off. I’m proud of myself for persevering through both my great and bad times; I’m glad I got the chance to work with the manager and that I overcame the challenging period of not playing for a year and a half.”
Due to injuries to captain Grant Hanley and Jacob Sorensen, Duffy has been City’s first-choice right-sided defensive option.
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