Ben Gibson's ever-growing relationship with defensive partner Grant Hanley is helping Norwich City look more solid at the back.

The Canaries defensive efforts in the last two seasons have been concerning, but the addition of the on-loan Burnley defender has helped shore things up at the back.

Gibson is relishing playing alongside City's captain and believes their partnership is beginning to bear fruit.

“We both talk a lot," Gibson said. "We both think about the game in the same way. I think we complement each other quite nicely, we’re different types of centre-back, but we’re both leaders and pretty vocal.

“Grant’s really dominant, he’s strong, and he’ll win every duel and every 50-50. I think we’ve got the balance quite well. I think I step in a bit more, but we know each other's strengths and weaknesses which is as important as anything.

“It’s early days. We’re building something really good, that’s what we feel. We’re disappointed we’ve conceded two tonight, to be honest, and let’s hope we get back to clean sheets on Saturday.”

The Pink Un: Emiliano Buendia of Norwich celebrates scoring his side’s 1st goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Bet 365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 640267 24/11/2020Emiliano Buendia of Norwich celebrates scoring his side’s 1st goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at the Bet 365 Stadium, Stoke-on-Trent Picture by Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd +44 7904 640267 24/11/2020 (Image: ©Focus Images Limited https://www.focus-images.co.uk +44 7813 022858)

The games being staged behind closed doors allows for the shouts from those on the pitch to become more prominent. Few are as vocal as the Burnley loanee.

If City are to have success in the Championship this season, then possessing a group of leaders will be critical. Gibson believes City have plenty beyond the ranters and ravers.

“I think we’ve got to try and set them examples. We’ve got to be there for them to talk to through the good and bad times because like you’ve seen in ninety minutes tonight, it’s not all going to go your own way and be smooth running.

“There’s going to be times, whether we like it or not, where we will lose games this season. It’s not going to be an upwards trajectory all of the time, and sometimes it’s about how you bounce back from that so we’ll be there for them to talk to and set examples.

“We’ve got to show them the way. The buck stops with us for that so we look to have as many leaders as possible, leading through voice but not just vocally, also by example and even though those forward lads aren’t shouting and screaming or annoying everyone else on the pitch like I do, they’re leading by taking the ball under pressure and being brave enough to give it away but getting it back the next time.”