What have you learnt about the character of the team after coming from 2-0 down to draw?
It’s a pre-season match so learning about character is probably for later in the season.
But they did play a lot better second half, the performance was a lot better.
But it had to be.
There were times in the first half were we were a bit sloppy.
In the pre-season games you are looking more at fitness but if there’s something not right tactically you still have to address it and it was a lot better second half.
We finished strong which was pleasing and fitness levels looked very good out there so for a pre-season game it was a good workout.
Were there any tactical changes or was it just a case of the momentum shifting after your first goal?
Certainly a little bit of confidence after getting that goal and knowing that they could play.
You’ve got to remember that they’re playing against adults and there were a lot of 16, 17 year olds out there so the physicality came as a bit of a shock to some of them.
But they reacted to it well and they dealt with it well, second half especially.
Any players that particularly impressed you against the physical opposition?
A couple actually, some of the lads took a while to get used to it.
Dan Webster at centre half dealt with their centre forward really well.
He’s a big guy and he dealt with him really well.
A few of the lads will be really pleased with their performance.
Tom Field did a great job filling in at left back.
He usually plays left mid so he showed some good versatility to adapt.
He won all of his headers and tackles and got forward extremely well.
There were definitely some pleasing performances there against a different kind of opposition.
What are your expectations for the season?
In terms of the league we need to do better than we did last year, but we’re looking for performances first and foremost.
We’re looking for Youth Team players to step up into Jon De Souza’s Under-21 side and obviously a few lads going on to play or at least train with the First Team.
Performances need to be a little better than last year and that will bring better results.
By Tom Hagar