Brabin: "That's the Benchmark"
Gary Brabin reflected on a good workout at Cherry Hinton on Wednesday night, when his mixed team of first teamers, youngsters and trialists took half an hour to break down the home side then ran out convincing 9-0 winners.
"They came out of the blocks early and were dead competitive, while we're still in our pre-season programme and we've come here to practice the things that we've been working on daily," he said afterwards. "It took us a good half an hour before I was pleased with what we were doing, but in the end it was a good run out for the lads."
The U's boss explained that he regards pre-season fixtures as an extension of the training sessions so he was pleased with the way the team responded to his half-time feedback.
"I would never be disrespectful to any team, but I think in these games it's important that you carry on what you're doing in training and this is all based around that, so it's part of our training programme for the start of the season.
"There were a few things that we picked up on at half-time and I feel we put them right in the second half, so I was pleased with it. From my point of view, it is like a training session but I don't mean that disrespectfully. There's a good competitive edge to it, which I think you need, and it was played in good spirits.
"Obviously we want to win and I told the lads there's a bit of pride at stake as well, so it's important we win these games," he added. "But it's no good coming here and scrapping for a win and then going away; we have to get something out of these games and I feel we have done today."
While the outfield players netted nine times, Brabin was also pleased that the two trialist keepers - Ross Cherry in the first half and Laurie Walker in the second - contributed to a clean sheet at the other end.
"It is pleasing, and we're passing the ball well across the back too, which is something we're practicing every day. First and foremost we have to defend but then we can work on our passing and movement from the back; I felt we did that very well in the second half and quite well in the first half as well."
Trialists Dean Lodge and Grant Robbins played the full 90 minutes and each scored a first half penalty, while winger Tyrone Amory and goalkeepers Cherry and Walker all played a half.
"We're trying to be fair so we can have a good look at them and they're working hard to impress," said the manager. "They haven't done themselves any harm and we'll assess them again in training tomorrow."
First year pro Adam Marriott, last season's top scorer for CRC and the youth team, made his seasonal bow with four goals and Brabin was delighted with the 18-year-old and his fellow first years.
"'Maz' and the other three lads (Coakley, Ives and Patrick) have come into the squad and been different class, but then we expect that," he stated.
"They've been working with Jez (George) and the rest of the youth staff and I think we're all singing from the same hymn sheet in what we want from players as individuals and as a team, so they've blended in fantastically well with the rest of the first team squad.
"They've worked hard and I thought Daz Coakley, captaining the side, was outstanding last night and Maz has taken the limelight today, so I'm made up for the young lads. They've just got to keep it going - that's the benchmark now."
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