Tranmere Rovers manager Micky Mellon says he cannot fault the overall performance of his side, following the 0-0 draw at home to League One side Sunderland.
Rovers had chances to win the game, but couldn’t find a way past Lee Johnson’s side. The result means TRFC stay unbeaten so far this season.
He said: “I thought defensively as a whole unit, we were very good. We were probably at the standard that we’ll hopefully be able to reach in most weeks. I think, when we started the game, we didn’t quite believe in ourselves enough, but we gradually grew into the game.
“We had some decent passing movements, but we need to create more chances. When we have that control in key areas, we need to be aggressive in terms of putting the ball in the box and putting crosses. That’s just where we’re up to at the minute, and we’ll work on that in the next few days and hopefully see little bit more of that for the weekend’s game.”
Rovers continue their pre-season preparations with a behind closed doors fixture against Burnley Under-23s on Saturday, and the manager says that pre-season is all about learning.
“That’s what happens when you’re bringing in a new group as you got out along the pre-season games, you’re trying to learn all the time. You find out what people aren’t good at, and trying to fix that for the next game.
“That’s why tonight’s game is so important for us. We’ve learnt an awful lot, the players have put in an unbelievable shift, so the fitness is a massive tick. I think we’ve seen we’ve got players who can put a real good shift in, a lot of them got good match minutes.”
The manager still thinks the side have work to do, especially in the final third.
“I know that we’ll have to be a little bit more aggressive, and a little bit more direct when we get into the final third when we get crossing opportunities. We need to get people on the end of these opportunities and score a few goals. I couldn’t fault the overall 90-minute display.
“I thought we made a really good account of ourselves and it was quite an entertaining game.”
Mellon was full of praise for Paul Glatzel. The youngster joined on a season-long loan from Liverpool, and has featured regularly for their Under-23s and Under-18s sides.
“I thought he [Glatzel] did very well. He’s grown and getting better each time. You’ve got to remember he’s coming from a level where he’s against boys of the same age. He’s come into this and started training with us, and he’s had to learn the way of playing.
“He’s got to be smart with his movement, and we can see that coming. But what you can never fault is his work rate. His numbers of sprints and closing down of players, and efforts to get on the end of things is second to none. We’re pleased to have him here. He’s growing all the time, and he’ll be a good asset for us.”