Manager's thoughts following 5-0 win over Colwyn Bay
Graham Alexander, the Fleetwood Town manager, was left satisfied by the workout his team got after two separate squads recorded a 5-0 victory at Colwyn Bay on Thursday evening.
Showing a clinical touch in front of goal, Town strikers David Ball, Jamie Allen and Jamille Matt all got on the score sheet, whilst Stewart Murdoch also added his name with a well-struck shot before half-time in North Wales.
The Colwyn Bay clash represented the first game of Fleetwood's pre-season preparation and the victory sets up Alexander and his side perfectly ahead of their scheduled trip to Obertraun, Austria, on Saturday.
Speaking to the Club's official website, Alexander said: "It was a very good work out for the lads. Everyone got 45 minutes under their belt and we wanted a competitive game as part of our training programme and that’s what we got.
"It’s a great set up here and it was a competitive game, but I thought we played some good stuff at times.
"It’s just about the lads finding their feet and getting used to a full size pitch again. The lads wanted to get involved in a game of football as soon as possible and I thought they did well.
"The boys looked in good shape and there was a really good understanding out there even with the three additions from last season. It was pleasing and that was the first step of many this season.
"There’s no recovery because we will be training in the morning. That’s why we have only give them 45 minutes and just to get them used to the pitch again.
"They trained this morning and they will do that tomorrow and then we will be travelling out to Austria and getting down to some hard graft over there as well."
Fleetwood also got their first look at their new recruits on Thursday. Jamie Proctor made a promising start to life with the Cod Army in the first half, whilst Keith Southern, Danny Andrew and the returning Josh Morris all featured in the second half.
"All three of them showed the qualities that we have brought them in for. Proctor, up front, caused them all sorts of problems.
"He has got great power and running power and he knows how to play centre forward. Keith (Southern) came on and controlled midfield and used his experience and Danny Andrews had a great passing range and got the ball down the line.
"The lads that were already here have seen why we have brought them in and I am pleased they have got a game under their belt.
"We knew Josh’s qualities from last year. We wanted to bring him back and he wanted to come back himself after having a conversation at Blackburn.
"There was quite a few clubs in for him, and to be fair to Josh, he only wanted to come back to us.
"The deal got done really quick, so we thank Blackburn for their co-operation and hopefully he will continue from where he left off last season."
The squad’s attention will now be turned to Saturday when they fly out to the Austrian mountains for seven days and Alexander is hoping Obertraun will have the same impact as it did this time last year.
"The lads will be together 24/7 and they will get to know each other really well," Alexander added.
"We have got the majority of the squad from last year, but the new lads will really get into the group and we will be able to get three sessions done a day at a fantastic training facility with no distractions.
"It was a great success last year and hopefully it will have the same impact this year."