Head coach Uwe Rosler says Friday night’s pre-season defeat to Preston North End was a learning experience for his young squad.
Town lost 5-1 at Highbury, despite impressing in the first half and leading through a Cian Bolger header, against the impressive Championship side.
With the new season starting on August 5 against Rotherham United, Rosler is not worried ahead of the big kick-off.
“We played against a team who were tenth in the Championship and we could have been up – not only by one. But we need to be better in the second half,” said Rosler.
“It was a game of two halves.
“We knew that the North End game would be the last [game of our pre-season] and the hardest one, and actually Preston played really well. They surprised me – especially in ball possession how they were.”
Even in pre-season, games can be changed in fine margins and Town had their chances to extend the lead shortly after Bolger’s opener.
“We scored a good goal from a set piece and had one or two chances with Jordy,” added the German.
“We conceded a goal in a very awkward moment for us, with the last kick of the half. The second half – we have to talk about this – I have not seen us like that in 12 months. But we have lost experienced players, and in those situations the experience helps you stabilise the ship. We are learning and we know we have a very young squad, but we are learning.”