LUKE Norris has paid tribute to manager David Flitcroft’s words of wisdom for helping to provide him with the clarity of thought to become Town’s foremost attacking threat early in the season.

The former Gillingham striker’s two goals in the weekend’s 3-2 victory over Stevenage took him to the half-dozen mark in under 10 games this term and provided further confirmation of the significant steps forward he has taken from a troubled previous campaign.

Flitcroft has already identified the 24-year-old as a key member of his line-up, with both men revealing they had spoken at length about the contribution of Norris to the team.

The player believes those clear mission goals are a sizeable contributing factor in both his own form and the team’s progress in general.

“I’ve spoken with the manager countless times and he’s got into me how important everything is, the initial holding up, the way we want to play and he thinks I’m very important to that and I’m glad I can pay his faith back,’’ said Norris.

“It’s what I’ve needed since I’ve come here, a run of a few games and it’s happening. I’m just here to do what I can for the side.

“Personally, my standards for myself are very high. It’s all part of growing up now.

“I’m hitting that age where you do turn into a man and the petulant side drifts away.

“It’s growing up and having the experience with the manager. He’s very good with his words and he knows how to get the best out of me and I think that’s been shown.’’ Despite being signed for a significant sum last August, Norris often found himself on the periphery of affairs or on the bench as Town battle unsuccessfully against the drop last season.

That has all changed this season with the frontman featuring in all nine games so far and Norris added: “Last year it was in-out, in-out and we had a very different set-up, also in terms of who is in charge and all these different ideas coming across.

“We’ve got the gaffer and we’ve got Futch (Ben Futcher, assistant manager) who have got experience in this league and they have got out of this league.

“They said from day one what they want and they’ve been very strong when people have put their toe out of line.

“It’s been nipped in the bud so everyone knows their job and I think it’s showing. In spells of games we look very good.

“The coaching staff have drilled into us what they want and when they want it and that’s how we’re going to play.

“I think everyone knows their job and this group of players are an honest group and they want to work hard.

“That always helps you in a game of football, if you know the man to the right and the man to the left is going to do his bit for you, it makes you raise your bit to do it for them.’’