Mark Yates talks to the media following tonight's pre-season friendly at home to Wolves.
Robins manager Mark Yates speaking to the press following tonight's pre-season friendly with Wolves:"That was our first run out and I think it was full of really positive stuff. I think 3-1 was a fair result and it was encouraging to see the young lads at the end. They were knocking it about well. We've only been in 10 days and I think they're already taken on board what we're after which is really good. There's lots to work on but the attitude and the work rate and the determination to do well is certainly there.
"When we've played pre-season games in the past we've normally had a slightly easier one first, but we wanted to do something differently this year and we've worked on our shape and how we want to play. When we go to Brighton we will probably play. We would have to be a bit more switched on and defensively minded but with a view to attacking.
"There will be other games where we will want to be on the front foot, and we will go through different scenarios for the during pre-season.Â
"The effort the lads put in today was outstanding. We fell asleep for a couple of moments at the end of the first half but I would rather that happen now and we learn from it than it happen on the first day of the season.Â
"Pre-season is about game time, minutes on the pitch and trying to implement what we are working on in training. I saw glimpses of everything.
"Evesham tomorrow will be a mixed team, everyone's turning up and everyone will be there. We felt the best way of going about it was to give the youngsters a chance to go out tomorrow as a group. They've had chances this week to work on it and we worked on this team tonight. These games are about discipline and the ability to keep our shape, but also about passing the ball and tomorrow's hopefully going to be different with young, talented youngsters. As long as we have a strong, solid base to build off it will be a good test for us.
"I'll give the trialists every chance to impress but it's difficult for them at times as we have to get our squad right and get all the boys up to speed as quickly as we can.
"I'm keen on a defender but he's got a year left on his contract and we're trying to get him out of that. We need competition and cover in that area. I want competition for places all over and the young lads are helping with that. I want a 23 man squad ideally so I'm four or five away. Then we will be quite competitive."
Click here to read the full match report.
Catch reaction later this evening on both Robins Player and the official YouTube channel.
The Robins are next in action away at Evesham United on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off). For ticket news, click here.