The more I listen to Johannes Hoff Thorup talk and see his philosophy developing at Carrow Road, the more and more I like him.

I've watched a lot of the Dane's pre-match and post game press conferences so far this season.

He seems a very easy going, relaxed and likeable guy.

I can certainly also sense a steely edge to the 35-year-old.

Let's look at the bare facts of his time at the helm of the Canaries so far.

His team are 10th in the Championship, with three wins, three draws and two defeats from the opening eight games.

So-called Hoffball has generated 12 goals and let in 10.

On paper it looks steady and unspectacular.

I'm trying to remember a time in my many years of supporting the Canaries when there has been such positivity around a team which is averaging a point and a half per game in the second tier.

A huge part of why us fans are so chipper is down to Thorup.

His words are measured, clinical, inspiring and clear.

His actions mirror what he says.

Let's think back to the final whistle on the opening day of the campaign at newly-promoted Oxford.

There were plenty of chins on the ground among supporters. 

Doomsday predictions for the season ahead were being made by some as they came to terms with the loss alongside the news around Gabby Sara, Johnny Rowe and Adam Idah plus a series of injuries.

The head coach was far from happy. He didn't try paper over cracks or make excuses.

Thorup also didn't get too downbeat by the disappointing start.

One of things that has impressed me most about him over the two months since is how he doesn't get too carried away when things are going well or too worried when things go off course.

He clearly knows football inside out despite still being a relative newcomer to the managerial world.

The aftermath of Saturday's win at Derby was an excellent snapshot of the way he operates.

He could have been forgiven for doing cart wheels round Pride Park to celebrate the televised win.

No-one would have argued if he had grabbed hat-trick hero Borja Sainz and put him on his shoulders in triumph.

Of course the boss was over the moon at the victory and the performance of his star winger.

However, he made sure Angus Gunn was pushed forward to take the ovations from the 2800-strong yellow and green army packed into the away end after a crucial save.

As he addressed the media a few minutes later, he said it was an evening to celebrate - yet quickly said there were things to look at from the performance to improve on.

Thorup has an excellent ability to balance the pros and cons in his team.

There have been times this year so far when he has been starkly honest on some players, especially when they have had to be substituted early.

But the comments have the foundation of support rather than hanging anyone out to dry.

On other occasions he goes out of his way to really big up members of his squad.

In the build up to Tuesday's game with Leeds, he basically demanded that my colleague Paddy Davitt asked him about Shane Duffy (there's amusing exchange in the presser which is well worth listening back to on the Pink Un YouTube channel).

I'm sure I'm not alone in questioning whether Duffy would be part of the Hoffball plan.

Thorup himself wasn't immediately convinced.

However, he believed in him and looked at deep analysis of the way he was so comfortable on the ball at Brighton to show him how he could fit in.

Look how that has worked. Duffy has been transformed in recent games.

There are lots of other examples of how Thorup and his team are clearly bringing players on.

Josh Sargent's work off the ball and linking up with fellow forwards is getting better and better (those assists at Derby were superb).

Just think that a year ago Kellen Fisher was in non league football and now looks a really established Championship defender.

I could go on.

There's a long way to go and the next phase of the season - starting with the visit of Hull on Saturday - will be tough.

But something is building - and there's lots for us to be excited about.

No VAR please

There's one issue I disagree with Thorup on, and that's having VAR in the Championship.

It's no surprise that the whole thing has reared its head after various decisions during City's win at Derby on Saturday.

It seems everyone in the country has had their say on Borja's fabulous first goal at Pride Park.

There is a slight chance that the ball may have crept out of play before Josh Sargent's excellent pull back...

What is being overlooked by too many people is that even if the goal had been ruled out, City should been awarded a penalty after a clear hand ball in the build up.

There has also been chatter about Sainz's second goal and the ball being out of play for that too before City broke.

Let me remind everyone that Derby's second was clearly offside.

Are Championship officials perfect? Absolutely not.

But let's not allow the huge drawbacks VAR brings in the Premier League to come down to the second tier.

You can't have it both ways

Last week I had a bit of a rant about the changes to European club football, which has resulted in more games as the authorities try to squeeze more money out.

Surprise, surprise, that coincides with some top stars threatening to strike over having to play too many games.

Please pass my violin...

Of course I don't want to see any players getting injured and their welfare has to be considered.

But football clubs and players who coin in as much in a week as the average fan earns in 20 years can't have it both ways.

Money has done so much damage to the beautiful game and as greed grows at the top end of football, things will only get worse.

Maybe if we returned to more simplicity and less striving for enormous wealth, things would improve.