He rung the changes during the second half giving some of the youngsters an opportunity and overall was positive about the afternoon’s work.
“It was a good run out,” Cotterill said after the game, “And all credit to
Commenting again on the new FIFA ruling on substitutes he said, “I did not want to play Matt O’Neill and Richard Chaplow for ninety minutes but I had to because of this new rule.
“It is early days as far as pre-season is concerned and the lads are still working hard though the week on their fitness. It was a good work out but we don’t want to pick up unnecessary injuries and we want to build it up gradually.”
The second half saw the arrival of a number of the youth squad and all but one of them, Ryan Townsend, were involved with the first team for the first time.
“I thought the kids were terrific when they came on,” he said of them. “There’s no pressure on them and they can just go out there and express themselves whereas it can be difficult for the full time professionals when the opposition up their game and make it tough.”
He was laughing with his tongue firmly in his cheek when he commented on the second goal scored by coach Mark Yates.
“He’s one I’ve had in my back pocket for five or six years. He deserved to have a run out and to be fair he’s half a fit lad and with the numbers we have he can do a job like that.”
And next, “We’ll carry on working hard before our next match”.