Deano happy with team effort

11:50am Monday 21st July 2008

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DEAN Holdsworth was pleased with the workout his side received in their second pre-season game.

His second game in charge saw the first goal of his reign, albeit a disputed deflected effort, and he was glad to get off the mark even if County couldn’t hang on for his first win.

“We went ahead thanks to a great set piece from David Collins and I think Guppy (Craig Hughes) may have got a touch, as well as one of their defenders, but as long as it goes in I don’t really care how or who gets them, said the manager.

“I was a bit disappointed to concede the goal right at the end but we’ve got to learn from that.”

Considering the extremely windy conditions, in the first half in particular, there was some nice passing football on display from the new-look Exiles, something that Holdsworth was proud of.

“I was pleased with certain aspects and there were a few negative things but we’ll work on those and I think there was a lot of nice play without having that end product,” he added.

“The conditions didn’t help – the wind really bossed the game in the first half, which was a shame, but I was pleased with a lot of things I saw.”

And Holdsworth stressed that his side is only going to get better as they get to know one another.

“They know that I’m going to push them and work them hard,” he said.

“I’m still changing systems and looking at players and that is what these games are all about.

“I expect us to get better as the players gel and there is more continuity there the nearer we get to the game against Wimbledon (on August 9).”

Holdsworth picked out several players for particular praise, including Kevin Stephens and Kevin Cooper.

“I thought they were good and (trialist) Anthony Church played very well, he was outstanding.

“Martyn Giles also had a good first 45 minutes so I was pleased with that too and everyone came through the match unscathed, which was a bonus.”