Russell asks for patience

Norwich City midfielder Darel Russell believes fans have to be patient before they see a true reflection of the side manager Peter Grant has put together.

Russell was one of eight new signings to come in over the summer and the 26-year-old thinks that it could take a while before Norwich reach their true potential next season.

“I don't think we've had enough time in that sense,” he said. “I think that with the amount of new players that have come in this year we're going to have a couple of up and down times until we get that continuity going.

“Once we do get there I don't think there will be any problem and we'll do fine. I'm sure the gaffer will say that he does not feel that everyone has had enough time together.

“I've only been here just over a week now myself and there's a lot of new players to come into the team to try and gel into different formations. It will eventually get there and once we do I think we'll do very well.”

The £600,000 signing from Stoke admitted to being short of match sharpness himself after waiting for his move back to Norfolk to materialise over summer but feels he is ready to take on Preston at the weekend.

“I wish I was a little bit fitter and in better shape before the start of the season but as circumstances were, and I was possibly moving, then that wasn't the case.

“I think I'll be ready to go out there and do a good job. I'd love to be in a better physical position and touch position in terms of more time on the pitch and gameplay but I think I'm more than ready.

“I'd say I feel about 80 per cent at this moment in time. But you never know until you go out there and start competing against other players that are in a similar league.”

Russell does not expect any results on Saturday to be an early indication of how the Championship season will pan out but admitted it would be perfect to start the campaign with three points at Deepdale.

“I always find the first week or two is very deceptive,” he said. “Certain teams are fitter than others and it can be a bit of a testing match in the first couple of weeks so you can never read too much into them in the first couple of games.

“Everyone is excited to get the season underway. Everyone is saying that they can't believe it's here so quickly. Everyone is excited about getting that first game out the way and try to get that first result - that's the big one, you want to get that first win up as soon as possible.

“It's always a difficult game up there (at Preston) and they always tend to try and play good football as well. But they've lost their top striker in (David) Nugent so hopefully that'll be an advantage to us and we can go up there and get a result.”

The match at Deepdale will give manager Peter Grant the first opportunity to try out his new midfield in competitive action and Russell said he cannot wait to forge a potentially formidable partnership with fellow new signing Julien Brellier.

“Julien looks good,” he said. “From what I've seen he likes to put his foot in and he knows the game really well so I'm excited to try and play alongside him. He looks really good and I've been impressed with him so far.

“He plays more of a defensive game and I like the more attacking side of things so it could be a good balance. I had that similar type of balance with Salif Diao (at Stoke) last season and we will have to wait and see.”