Head coach Scott Brown spoke to the club after his side kept a clean sheet in their pre-season friendly against Championship side Blackburn Rovers at Highbury.
It was a game that saw both sides create multiple gilt-edged opportunities throughout with Josh Earl hitting the crossbar from range, with Sammie Szmodics striking the post from close range for the visitors as well.
More valuable minutes have been put in the players' legs ahead of the Preston North End clash on Tuesday and the gaffer had this to say in his post-match interview:
On the overall showing at Highbury…
“We knew they were going to be a possession-based team, as they are a Championship side who did well last season. They want to build up from the back and through the zones, but we also stopped them, pushing them from side-to-side, which meant they didn’t penetrate that much.
“We are pleased with the lads; it was a great performance, and we could have even managed to score a couple of goals as we produced some fantastic play throughout the game.
“These games are great as it was good to get 90 minutes into most of the lads’ legs, but also see a couple of younger lads come on as well. The players are coming through injury-free, and they are already raring to go again on Tuesday.”
On creating chances and building up to the start of the season…
“There was always going to be chances in the game, and, for us, we know that [Jay] Lynchy saved us at the back stick once again, but then Ryan [Graydon] could have scored down the other end, with Promise [Omochere] having a few efforts as well.
“We were a little bit unlucky on the day but, take nothing away from it as a pre-season friendly, we used this game to make sure we are ready for the start of the season – as soon as that begins, we need to make sure we are scoring goals and keeping clean sheets.
“The main thing now is looking forward to that Carlisle game away from home as it all starts, competition-wise from that point onward. That’s what really matters, these friendlies are only here to get the lads up to speed for the season up ahead.”