Express & Star

Cameron Norman: I couldn’t turn down Walsall

New right-back Cameron Norman says the opportunity to join Walsall was too good to turn down – and now he wants to help them become watertight.

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The 23-year-old joined the Saddlers last week from League One rivals Oxford United and made his debut as they won 3-0 at Gillingham at the weekend.

He then played the full 90 minutes of the 2-1 defeat at Plymouth Argyle on Tuesday night.

A product of Norwich City's youth set-up, Norman has also had spells in non-league for Concord Rangers and King's Lynn Town and said: "I played a bit at Oxford but there was an opportunity to come here, and it was one I couldn't really turn down.

"I spoke to the manager and he had nothing but positive things to say, so I jumped at the opportunity.

"I really enjoyed my debut on Saturday, and on Tuesday night it was disappointing to come away with nothing.

"I think we deserved something from the game, but it was just those silly mistakes.

"Hopefully, we can get a positive result back at home."

Walsall not having a game this weekend because of AFC Wimbledon's FA Cup involvement allows Norman to get more time on the training pitch with his new team-mates before hosting Rochdale a week on Saturday.

He thinks they played pretty well at Plymouth but was disappointed to concede from two set pieces – Ryan Edwards and Niall Canavan heading home after Graham Carey free-kicks – before Andy Cook scored in sublime style.

"I think we started the game quite well. We felt like we were in the game, playing the conditions," said Norman.

"We struggled in the second half, with individual things. To concede from two set pieces is really disappointing.

"Even conceding those goals, we felt like we were still in the game.

"Cooky got his goal and we were trying to push on for the second but, in the end, it wasn't to be."

He added: "We felt we limited them to very few chances.

"Our goalie didn't have too many saves to make and we made a few good clearances, so it's really gutting to concede from two set pieces."