Under-23s manager Russ Wilcox provided reaction to iFollow Iron after the 4-1 Central League win over Walsall reserves at Birkdale Park.
Jordan Hallam, John McAtee, Jack Lambert and George Hornshaw all netted as United recorded a victory in their first league game of the season.
Wilcox said: “It’s nearly November and it was finally our first league game, due to having lots of matches postponed. It’s good for the lads because it gives them something to look forward to as well. It’s a good start for us, albeit against a young Walsall side.”
He added: “There was good and bad, like most games. I was pleased with the second-half as we passed the ball quicker and moved it around, running in behind more, getting hold of it, creating opportunities and getting wide.
“We asked more questions then, whereas in the first-half we were a little bit laboured and the tempo of the game was slow. I want us to play forward, pass forward and run forward. Walsall had good shape and made it difficult for us but once we stepped up the tempo we looked a much better team.
“Walsall brought a young team here today but you still have to perform and beat the players they put in front of you, and we ultimately did that convincingly well today.
“We spoke at half-time about a bit more quality in the final third, when it comes to the last pass, the last cross or the last shot at goal. That was missing in the first-half but we found that in the second and it should have been by more really but it’s a pretty pleasing day overall.”
Striker Reon Potts came off at half-time but Wilcox explained it was never intended for him to play the full game.
He continued: “Reon was ill last week so I told him beforehand he wouldn’t play 90 minutes today, it was always planned for him to come off early.”
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