New Gorleston manager Ricci Butler insists facing a rampant Norwich City was good preparation for the season ahead.

The former Great Yarmouth boss, who had two spells as a player at Emerald Park, admitted Norwich's quality was clear to see on the day.

'I think the way that Norwich played, in the first half especially, they really came out of the blocks,' he said.

'Even though we'd prepared to try and contain Norwich, obviously the players they've got, and the quality that Alex (Neil) has drilled into them, they tore us apart and it took my boys a little bit of time to get to grips with what's going on. The boys were told that when they're not playing they're watching who's playing for Norwich. If you're a right-back then watch their right-back, and how they play, because all-in-all that's the way we want to start playing.'

Butler is relishing the task of bringing more success to Gorleston, who finished 12th in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division last season, after leading rivals Yarmouth to a top-four finish in the First Division before opting to make the short trip to Emerald Park earlier this summer.

'Realistically, I'd like to see at least a top-six finish with the players that I've got here, and I'd like to see ourselves in a cup final,' he said.

'I'd like to say that we are going to give the FA Vase our best shot. We're a higher-placed team in the Vase, in the sense it doesn't involve teams higher than the league we're in, so really with the players that we've got, and what we're trying to do here, we're going to give it a good go.'

Butler is also confident the Canaries can achieve their objective of staying in the Premier League this season.

He added: 'I think they'll definitely stay up. The quality they have was clear to see here and I think that Alex and his team will make sure they put up a good fight against the big teams and make a good account of themselves.

'Alex knows how to manage the team and the discipline and skill that they have is brilliant. I will be quite surprised if they're relegated.'

The Greens host Wroxham on Tuesday at Emerald Park (7.45pm) in a friendly as they gear up for the league kick-off on August 8.