Confidence is key factor for Walsall's Cameron Norman

Following a largely inconsistent season last year, Norman has emerged as a reliable right-back with his performances so far in the current campaign.

Effective going forward as well as in defence, the 25-year-old has been the worthy recipient of several man-of-the-match rewards.

And he insists the confidence built this season has been instrumental.

“I think I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t that bit of extra confidence at the moment,” he said.

“I think that comes with the hard work we’ve done and the relationships we’ve formed since the gaffer’s been here.

“I feel like I’m thriving at the minute and I’m looking forward to stepping on the pitch, so hopefully it can continue and we can have some success.”

When asked what has clicked for him this year, he added: “I think it’s just a case of understanding my role and being comfortable.

“Having that run of games, I’m starting to show on a consistent basis what I can offer the team and showing that level of consistency in my performance is something I want to pride myself on. I’m just trying to be that all round full-back that you kind of need to be.

“It’s that added bit of confidence and I’m enjoying every minute.

“I think we’re really fit and we pride ourselves on our fitness. We’ve got a high energy team and, to a man, very fit. If we can keep on applying ourselves well then hopefully, without injuries, we can keep the players we want out there on the pitch and keep turning over those high energy performances.”

Meanwhile, Walsall will have to wait until the new year at the earliest before fans return to the Banks’s Stadium. The region has not moved down to Tier 2 in the latest changes imposed by the government.

This means they will remain in Tier 3, which does not allow fans, until the next Tier review on December 30.