Norwich City's pre-season trip to Belgium will be a tougher test of their newfound playing style under head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.
After a cobweb-blowing 3-0 victory over Northampton to open their preparations for the new Championship campaign on Saturday, Norwich travelled to Belgium on Tuesday to ready themselves for a training camp and matches against Club Brugge and Standard Liege.
Norwich have spent the opening weeks of training dedicated to improving their work in possession as Thorup seeks to embed his desired playing style into the group.
Jack Stacey is confident that matches against a higher calibre of opponent will further test their development, with City set to welcome back Kenny McLean, Grant Hanley and Angus Gunn during their time on tour.
"It's really exciting. It's a really unique part of pre-season when we get to travel, play different teams and experience different styles of play, especially from other countries," Stacey told the Pink Un.
"It's another chance for us to implement how we're playing. We want to be a possession-based team, and with no disrespect, when you come to a team that is a league below, then you expect that anyway.
"When you're going to play a team in the Champions League, it's a test to see if you can do it against them as well. We're really looking forward to it."
Stacey has been on numerous pre-season tours throughout his career with Reading, Luton and Bournemouth before moving to Carrow Road last summer.
As much as team development on the pitch is the priority, they are useful tools for building togetherness, a component that is critical given the desire to hand more opportunities to young talent like Abu Kamara and Brad Hills.
"You judge the trips by the games most of all, in terms of what you get out of them and the performances, but it's the chance to have the squad together in tight quarters for the week or ten days. It's a great part of the bonding process," City's right back said.
"To be able to spend more time with each other away from football and training, especially when it's a newer squad with younger players, having that time together can be really beneficial."
- The Pink Un will be providing full coverage of the Canaries' time in Belgium, including both matches, in partnership with Chips Away Norwich
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