Macca On A Win At Morecambe

Last updated : 24 July 2007 By Thetashkentterror

Blues manager Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Tuesday evening as he gave his opinion on the 2-1 pre-season friendly win away to the Shrimps tonight, McDonald commenting :


" I think the whole game flew by, I'm happy with the performance but we've still got lots to work on of course. We passed the ball really well and scored another two excellent goals. I wasn't too happy about the goal that we conceded but it's better to concede them in pre-season friendlies. Everybody has got through, certain players have played 90 minutes, certain players have played 60, it's been an excellent workout and I'm really, really pleased.

" Everyone is fighting for a place and him (Dan Kirkup) along with everyone else had a decent enough performance to encourage us for the next game. Some players it was going to be 60 minutes and 30 minutes and I'll change that round, so it will be very much I suppose the ones who came on for 30 minutes that will start the game against Newcastle. The ones who played 60 will probably come on and play 30, we're just trying to mix it up.

" There is no pressure as far as I'm concerned, it's a game for everyone to enjoy, to come and watch all the big guns - Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins, Joey Barton and all the other players that are coming across. I spoke to Sam (Allardyce) this morning and he said that barring injuries everybody will be across which is fantastic. We're really looking forward to them coming to our place.

" We're in discussions with his (Reggie Faria's) agent, we're waiting for an answer back to see where it goes and where it develops but there is no panic. I still think we need another defender to add pressure on, keep the competition for places and make sure that if we do lose one then we're not understrength. I would also like another forward just to put the pressure on the ones that we have already got.

" We played with a diamond, at the head of the diamond was Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and then at the head of the diamond was Simon Hackney. They are still learning how to play that and where to receive the ball, it's only natural that he (Hackney) is going to come out a little bit left. It's nice that we have plenty of players that can adjust to different formations, and they are just having a little bit of a go at that.

" It's early on, fitness levels are great, we trained this morning believe it or not. It's a tough ask to come out and play a game after the training session but it shows that they are fit and strong but we've still got plenty to work on. That's what it is all about, making sure that we are ready for Walsall, I'm sure the games coming up will be interesting for everybody. Can we pass it and can we keep our shape to make sure that we don't get broken, and then keep on going on the fitness. "