Darren Ferguson says he is happy with the progress his team is making after their win over Garry Flitcroft's Chorley at Victory Park on Friday night. The North End chief said he has already seen a big change in his squad from the first day he arrived.
"Some of the lads played a bit longer in the game and a few got 90 minutes," he said after their 3-1 win retained the Jack Kirkland Trophy. "I was pleased with the workout, but all I'm looking for at the moment is fitness.
"Chorley were a good team; they were ahead of Bamber Bridge and I am sure Flitty and Matty Jansen will get them playing this year and I think they'll do a really good job. It was a good game and a great workout for our lads - it was harder than the other night and that's what I wanted.
"I've noticed a big change since last season. When you come into a club it takes time to change things, but there is a really good togetherness and I am really pleased with that - the lads have been magnificent.
"There's a freshness about the place - there's been a big change and so you've got to leave time for things to settle down, but I can't fault the boys, they've been excellent since day one."
Danny Mayor impressed on the night with a brace - including a stunning second - and the manager feels that as his confidence increases, so will his effectiveness: "Danny, once he scored, starting get a bit of confidence and he did brilliantly for his second goal.
"He just has to believe in himself a bit more as he has all the ability in the world - he's a good player, he wouldn't be here if he wasn't. And once he got his goal he started showing what he was all about."
There were a few players sitting the game out and a few who got knocks in the game and Ferguson said that it is now just about making sure everyone is fit and available come the start of the season, particularly with the step up in tests over the next week.
"We just have to be careful; we have to make sure we start on August 7th with a fully fit squad and if we've done that, we've done our job.
"Blackburn and Everton will be two good games; different to what we've had before. We'll have to keep the ball in those games, because if we give it away then we won't get it back. But it is still all about the fitness."
