Midfielder David Norris felt Town gave PSV too much respect in the opening stages of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at the Philips Stadion. The former Plymouth man skippered the Blues in the absence of regular captain Jon Walters, who has a virus.

Norris said: “I think we showed them a little too much respect early on and their quality really shone through, but we kept it to just the one, although it wasn’t a great goal to concede.

“After that, especially in the second half, I thought we really came into the game. We kept it a lot better ourselves and created one or two half-chances.

“It was tough, it was a good workout for us. A few of us got a full 90 minutes against really, really good quality opposition.

“They were full of quality all over the pitch and at times it was just a keep-ball session for them with us trying to chase it and get it back, but I thought second half it got a little bit better, we came into the game a little bit more and it was a good workout for us.”

Norris, who was “honoured” to captain the side, says the Blues should perform better this season having spent much of the last year together: “We’ve got pretty much the same squad and that could work in our favour because we’ve been together for a season now. We’re trying a new formation at the moment just to have something else in the locker so we’re not too predictable. It’s going well.

“We’re not going to over-promote this season and talk about this and that and what we’re going to do, all we’re going to focus on is those first few games, making sure we start a helluva lot better than we did last year, doing our talking on the pitch.”

The 29-year-old says the 4-3-3 system Town have so far used in pre-season might not necessarily be the way they line-up at Middlesbrough on the opening day but is a useful additional option: “I don’t think that’s the formation we’re definitely going to use, I think it’s just another one so we can change it about. We’ll work on that and with a little bit of tweaking here and there, because it is new to all the players, I don’t see why we can’t utilise that formation well.

“We’ve persevered with this system for three games now and it’s working out OK, so it’s another formation to stop us being a bit predictable.”

Norris was impressed to see more than 300 Town supporters in Holland: “It was an unbelievable turnout, I was surprised to see that many people there. We appreciate that, they spend their money and travel distances and I think it’s only right that we show our appreciation.”

Meanwhile, former Blue Jamie Clapham has completed his move to hometown club Lincoln City having been released by Notts County at the end of last season. The 34-year-old has signed a one-year deal.

Photo: Action Images

JetaimePeters added 17:53 - Jul 19 Make him captain! First few games, bit of confidence - everythings sorted.
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Lightningboy added 18:01 - Jul 19 I think we've got a few decent "captains" on the pitch now..Norris,McAuley,Leadbitter & Walters..personally i'd choose Leadbitter,the responsibilty may stop him being so reckless with his bookings.
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mightytown added 19:27 - Jul 19 Great stuff from chuck here, glad to know he feels honoured to captain the side and appreciates the support of those who travelled. I have felt pretty anxious, what with the lack of transfer activity coming in and out of portman road this summer, especially since the thrust of it seems to be speculation about young connor wickham. a couple of quality additions and a good start could see this season turn into one worth remembering, im not saying automatic promotion or even a definate playoff spot but a strong season with plenty of passion to give us at least a fighting chance and to reinject some much needed pride back into the club. good on ya chuck, this has been the first point at which i am excited for the season to start! COYB

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SurreyITFC added 21:13 - Jul 19 “We're not going to over-promote this season and talk about this and that and what we're going to do, all we're going to focus on is those first few games, making sure we start a helluva lot better than we did last year, doing our talking on the pitch.” Great statement Chuck! Bring on the New Season and here's to a sucessful one! COYB - Keano Keano Keano
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ChambersM added 21:24 - Jul 19 i dont think he can be captain because personally i dont think he should have a guarenteed place in the side, it should be garvan and leadbitter in the middle with norris as back up and an option to use when things arent working
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SiBo added 21:59 - Jul 19 ChambersM: What colour is the sky on your planet? I think I can confidently predict that Norris will get in ahead of Garven. Firstly RK has made it pretty plain he will... secondly RK has put Garven on the list... and thirdly, have you watched Garven play in the last 2 seasons? Yes, 3 years ago, he looked a real prospect... he showed glimpses of a really decent central midfielder. The he missed that pre-season with a virus (Illness, whatever) and he hasn't looked the same player since. The difference is so marked; I would actually do DNA testing on him to see if it is the same bloke or just a double they picked up from non-league. Garven is not the answer... he's had 2 seasons of mediocrity and doesn't deserve a place in the side. If forced I might agree that he shoes very brief glimpses of what he used to play like, but that's it! He looks lethargic, slow, takes too long on the ball and basically unless we are playing a team that will sit off him is dispossessed far too often. It is a real shame as he did show real promise early on, but has gone the same way Bowditch/Clarke did... showed promise early on and then just faded into nothing. I'd rather see little Billy Clark (the new one, without an “e”) play than Garven at the moment and I'm not sure he's quite ready yet.

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devontractorboy added 22:42 - Jul 19 Why don't we do our talking on the pitch, far too much said off it!!
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BlueBadger added 23:36 - Jul 19 I am confident, that under Roy Keane, we will continue to show excellent form in the field of press conferences.
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slowerball added 08:27 - Jul 20 Norris was absent last season - full stop. And he seems to be a player who gets at least one knock a year. He needs to step up to the plate this seson and be effective - not something I think he has ever done for us. Too many games he's run round but actually done v.little. Lots of expectation when he did finally arrive (not his fault) Come on David - get your finger out - and from game one please.

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