He’s the man fans hope will reignite Parramatta’s NRL premiership ambitions, but star recruit Corey Norman isn’t promising to set the world on fire straight away.

The former Brisbane five-eighth and fullback says the Eels need time to rebuild under new coach Brad Arthur, although he’s seen promising signs since his move to Sydney late last year.

“When I came down here you wouldn’t think they’ve got the wooden spoon two years in a row,” Norman said ahead of a morning surf session at Cronulla beach on Wednesday.

“But Brad’s come in, he had a big meeting the first day and said ‘We’re going to forget what’s happened in the past’.

“We’ve got a new squad, new coach, new coaching staff, so we’re just looking forward and hoping for a good couple of years of building down the track.”

With the likes of Norman, Luke Kelly, Chris Sandow and Liam Foran all at Arthur’s disposal in 2014, the Eels are set to enter the new season with one of their strongest halves combinations in years.

But the pressure to help turn things around doesn’t weigh heavily on Norman, who is simply relishing the chance for a fresh start and a return to his favoured position at five-eighth.

“I’m not worried about that kind of stuff,” he said.

“I’m worried about getting my game right, training right and getting to know how the other boys train and play.

“Obviously we’re not going to set the world on fire straight away, but I think in time we’ve got a real good team to build here. “(My realistic goal would) not get the wooden spoon (this season) … that’d be great. But we’re not looking too far ahead. “We’re just worried about a solid pre-season and working on combinations and all that kind of stuff leading into round one and obviously trials.”