THE second pre-season friendly of the campaign ended in a 0-0 stalemate against Championship side Blackpool at the Racecourse, with Brian Little again being able to give most of his first team squad a run-out and we probably had the better chances over the 90 minutes.

Looking at the bigger picture, boss Little was happy at some other aspects other than just the actual performance: "I was pleased with certain things.

"We made wholesale changes yet again, but there were a couple of little niggles which meant that we couldn't risk certain players.

"If somebody has got a little knock you don't risk them at this stage but it would be nice to see them all out there.

"All in all, we were just a bit off the pace for the first ten minutes but we were all right after that.

"We had a little bit of pressure on them in the second half but overall I think that we pretty much got out of the game what we wanted.

"Fitness is top of the tree, we are still trying to push people to work, to be brave on the counterattack, which something that we have been working at on the training ground, but we are also trying to work at being brave in possession when we have got the ball.

"At times during the game, especially in the second half, we attacked with pace and I was quite pleased with that.

"We had one clear chance, and I think that Marc is still kicking himself over that a bit, but I think there are plenty of things going on that are entertaining me at this time.

"It is always nice if you can score three or four goals but as we are playing Championship sides that is not really going to happen.

"If it does it is a massive bonus but it is mainly the fitness work; it is when they have got the ball, how we are working as a team, how we can get the ball back, and how we counterattack from there.

"We are trying to base our performances around our training and we are very pleased with lots of things.

"There are still loads of little things like free-kick situations and throw-ins that we haven't even looked at yet but generally everything else is fine.

"I am happy with lots of things. The attitude of everybody is very good, the competition for places is there and the new lads have settled in, and bedded in, quite well, which is fine and some of the other fellows have knuckled down as well.

"So far so good, it seems strange not getting carried away but it is nice not to be losing games and it is nice to be competitive in games.

"The season is getting ever closer and it will be here before we know it. Everyone is quite chirpy, reasonably happy and quite enthusiastic but we haven't picked that first team yet.

"Everybody is working hard to get in the team for the first match of the season and that's good.

"We have got people who have missed a game today, it is important that we get something out of them, and we have got young Shaun (Whalley) who we would like to get in there and get some playing time under his belt.

"We have played games this week, we've had the odd little niggle and we're getting a bit of tiredness but we've got to work hard.

"We can't switch off now because we have drawn with two Championship sides, we've got to keep working hard and keep fitness as the priority at the moment.

"We are asking the midfield to be a little deeper than people usually expect so that helps the defence and then we are looking to hit teams on the counterattack so that is where the fitness levels come in and we must get to a level that will carry us through the season."

The Reds continue with a friendly against Crewe Alexandra at the Racecourse this coming Tuesday evening - kick-off: 7.30pm.