Astaka 2- 3 Asterix Reds (Friendly)

Well done to the lads that played in our first pre-season game today. It was good to see some familiar faces and welcome a few new players to the club. Overall, it was a creditable first performance of the season and we were good for the win. We do though need to continue to improve our fitness, decision making and communication.

We were very solid in the first half. More often that not we made good decisions and passed the ball to feet. Our back four was very solid and dealt well with the balls in the air and took care of anything on the ground equally well. I believe that the Astaka only had once shot on target which our stand-in keeper, Jonesy, dealt with comfortably. We kept the ball well and when we had possession, more often than not, we used it well. Our work rate was impressive; we closed them down well, challenged for everything and most important, got ourselves into space and made ourselves available when we were in possession. I would liked to have heard more communication, seen us get the ball wide more often and showed a little bit more patience in the final third. But it is just our first game of the season so no big complaints. Goals from Stuart Cavens and Adam Scott gave us a throughly deserved 2-0 lead at the half.

I'm not sure what I said to you at half time, but the second half was a different story. We were clearly tired but our decision making and talking went to pot. Astaka pulled two back and to be frank looked like they were going to go on to win it. Credit to you all for digging deep and getting the winner with about 15 to go. I'm not sure if the final touch was Mark Jones' head or Stuart Cavens ear. I think I'll give it to Stuart. Winning is a good habit and it's good to get off to a good start.

All in all in it was a positive first run out. Next week we have Red Star KL. It'll be a different game; for one the pitch is a lot smaller and Red Star will play a more 'British' style of football. Nonetheless, I want us to continue to work on playing an attractive passing game during the pre-season and getting the basics of good team play ironed in to our game. Against Red Star, I want us to to work on the same things as we did today. That is:

1) Decision making: if an easy ball is on play it. It's as simple as that. During the pre-season, forget the shots from 30 yards and long balls. In the words of the great Brian Clough: "If God had wanted us to play football in the clouds, he'd have put grass up there." Let's keep the ball on the deck and play a simple, attractive passing game. It moves defenses around, brings our own team mates into the game and will create space as we go forward.

2) Intensity: these pre-season games are a great way to build fitness. To be honest, I can't fault you for your effort today. Let's make sure we use next week's game to continue to build fitness. Importantly, make sure you're working had off the ball when we're in possession to give the player with the ball some options.

3) Communication: we simply need to do more of this. Too many times, the player is receiving the ball is not getting a shout from his team mates. If a player receives the ball, it's the responsibility of the players closest to him to give him information. Time, man on, turn, hold, turn away, give-and-go, whatever. It is a lot easier for the player receiving the ball if he's got people helping him out by telling him what's going on around him. Please increase the talking next week.

As for me? Well, I'll be working on my half-time team talk.

Well done on the win. Do your best to make it to training on Thursday and if you can't make it to training, do something else to work on your fitness. Let's build on the positives from today's game and continue improving in our next match with Red Star.