Town striker James Norwood says Saturday’s game at Portsmouth is a chance to put things right after last week’s disappointing 2-1 home loss to Bristol Rovers which he believes the Blues should have won.

“It’s going to be massive for us, we’re coming off a defeat where we feel like we should have won the game, but it’s time to put things right and if we do well over this Christmas period, then we’ll be right back where think we should be,” he said.

“We had enough chances, me in particular, to win the game. We gave two easy goals away, but we are going to concede goals, it’s part and parcel of football.

"That’s when you need the frontmen to turn around and bail the lads out because we’ve been bailed out sometimes. We might score one a game and have kept a lot of clean sheets, so it works both ways.

“The defence are going to need us to bail them out and we’re going to need them to bail us out at times.”

Norwood played as part of a three-man attack against the Pirates alongside Will Keane, who operated down the middle, and Kayden Jackson.

“I thought we worked well as a three,” he reflected. “I’ve obviously been playing a different role all season lining up in a two, so it’s been different. I’ve had to adapt to the way I play in a two and I’ve just adapted again.

“And I ended up getting more chances in any of the previous games, so I think we’ll work well.

“The more goals on the pitch, the better for the team, people will be pinned back and worried about the front three of Jackson, Keane and Norwood, rather than just Jackson and Norwood.”

He says it’s a role he has played before at other clubs: “I have done, I was a left midfielder for four years, I played on the left a couple of times at Tranmere, so I’m just happy to be playing.

“As a striker I always know where the goal is and how to get into positions to score. I could play right-back and I’d still end up at the back stick.”

Norwood’s goal against Bristol Rovers was his eighth of the season and he was pleased to finish the chance given the quality of the build-up.

“I watched it back and there was Flynn’s scoop, Garbs has flicked it on with the outside of his boot and Jacko’s put in a world-class cross and I think it would have been terrible of me to miss that one!” he added.

Regarding Town’s stuttering form, which has seen them fail to win their last four League One games and just one over 90 minutes in their last 10 in all competitions, he said: “I just think it’s part and parcel of football, it happens. Because of the first 14, 15 games people think that’s what’s going to happen.

“But it doesn’t work like that in football. If we have our blip now and we’re second and we go on another run like we did then no one’s going to complain because that will take us to near enough the end of the season.

“We’ve been unhappy with the results, but that’s going to happen, we’re going to lose games, we’re going to not play well, it’s how we bounce back. This loss could be great for us because we might go and win three on the spin now.”

The 29-year-old is confident that it is just a blip and that Town will soon be back in winning form.

“Yes, of course, we’re always piecing stuff together,” he said. “I think if you look at the last 70-odd minutes against Bristol Rovers, if we play like that with the shackles off, then there are not a lot of teams that are going to be able to stop us going forward.

“We looked tight at the back, they didn’t score for the last 70 minutes, we were on the front foot foot, we were attacking, we were playing good football, I think we just need to take the shackles off and go at teams.”

Looking ahead to the visit to Fratton Park and one of the best atmospheres in League One, he added: “It’s supposedly a sell-out as well, that’s something we’re used to, that number of fans, it’s not going to faze us.

“We know that they’re going to have to try and come at us being the home team, they’re not going to sit there and frustrate us, and hopefully it should make for a good game of attacking football.”

Photo: TWTD

speccybaz added 10:53 - Dec 20 You're always going to get up-beat, positive remarks from the manager and players. They have to say these, and probably do believe most of them. The reality is that actions speak louder than words. Play as we can for 90 minutes and I too am confident that we're League One-beaters, but... COYB
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Razor added 11:11 - Dec 20 Talk is fine---lets see it translated on to the pitch! Stick with 3 up front and play like we did last week (part from first 15 mts) and we will be fine.
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Suffolkboy added 12:04 - Dec 20 This is the determined realist ,looking to analyse the eventual disappointment of not scoring despite the ‘front foot ‘ football ; there's no edgy attempt to deflect the truth but a terribly honest desire to see Town make the most of what comes their way ,and put a happy smile on supporters faces ! This is much more like it ,and JN would do well to adopt the approach , Positively good ! COYB

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Reuserscurtains added 12:06 - Dec 20 Boring! Used to enjoy going to Portman road. Now just feels a sad shadow of its former self. Marcus Evans have you cleaned the moss off the stands yet and replaced the lights on the back of the south stand? Course you haven't. We won't hear from you until next season ticket sales
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Barty added 12:38 - Dec 20 Actions speak louder than words - lets see what happens. Our poor run is due to come to end I hope. Lets hope we are positive in our formation and all put in a good performance. A much needed 3 points is a must.
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ITFCsince73 added 12:58 - Dec 20 Reuser. The match day catering is higher on the list I'm afraid. ME stated and agreed a long time back. It was an area that needed addressing and indeed was being worked on. When that work is completed, assuming it was started..... Making good of the stadium will then hopefully happen.
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Reuserscurtains added 13:04 - Dec 20 I don't believe a word he says, I'm afraid.
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ITFCsince73 added 13:07 - Dec 20 I make you right. Reuser
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Saxonblue74 added 16:36 - Dec 20 So it's now a 3rd game on the bounce where we've got to "put thing right"!
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ITFCsince73 added 17:23 - Dec 20 If Norwood and Jackson can't start scoring, we have 2 returning from injury. Who I believe will score goals in this league. There's at least 1 striker starting spot very much up for grabs. Peterborough have 2 strikers scoring for fun, we need at least 1 to be.... If we want top 2 finish anyway.
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Dissboyitfc added 18:47 - Dec 20 Who will be put forward to say this on the eve of the gillingham game? Talk is cheap!
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