It may be Will Norris’ name on the Vanarama National League Player-of-the-Month award, but the Braintree Town keeper says it is a collective honour.
Norris, who is on a season-long loan with the Iron from Cambridge United, was between the sticks as Braintree kept clean sheets against Eastleigh, Grimsby, Dover and Macclesfield during October and they conceded just three goals in the entire month.
That record has continued into November and they still boast the National League’s meanest defence after a 1-1 draw at Woking on Tuesday and ahead of Saturday’s trip to FC Halifax Town.
However, Norris isn’t claiming sole credit for the achievement.
“The boys in front of me are outstanding week-in week-out and I can only thank them,” said the 22-year-old.
“Without a doubt, the Player-of-the-Month award is a collective thing.
“It’s never about just one man.
“For them to minimise the amount of shots I have to save is amazing and I’ve thanked them all because without them, I wouldn’t have got anywhere near to that award.
“It’s just a recognition of the whole defensive unit.
“I don’t know how many goalkeepers do win it, but a lot of it is down to the hard work that the defence and midfield do for me.”
That is a view echoed by manager Danny Cowley. He added: “Will takes the award on behalf of the group, but he is a wonderful young keeper – a match-winning keeper.
“We have been watching him since he was a 17-year-old at Royston so we knew all about him and when he became available, Nicky and I jumped at the chance.
“We had Josh Vickers at Concord last year as a goalkeeper and he’s someone who will go on and you’ll hear his name in the Championship and Premiership, I have no doubt about that.
“But we said we’d been spoilt with Josh and how on earth would we replace him, but Will has come in and done equally as well.”
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