Assistant Blues boss, Huw Griffiths, was far from pleased with City's performance in a 4-1 defeat against AFC Telford United in a friendly match at the New Bucks Head, while first team boss Simon Davies travelled to Bromsgrove to see City's first league opponents Dagenham and Redbridge win 4-0.

Griffiths said: "I've learned a lot from a very young, and very small squad. The two goals scored from setplays proved that. There was not a lot we could do when they threw the ball into our box because Telford were a lot bigger and stronger than us.

"Our senior players with height weren't playing against Telford - they had a good work-out on Thursday against Swansea and they did a double-session on Friday so we gave them time off because it's all about Saturday.

"From past performances and from our display at Telford on Saturday we now know what our starting eleven is.

"Some people went missing a little bit at Telford and I was disappointed in that, but it's all a learning experience for us because Telford are a big, strong, physical side, and that's what they need for the league they play in.

"We just failed to produce in the final third.

"It was positive in some respects because I felt we played well in certain areas of the field, but when the ball reached other areas with certain individuals they weren't good enough on the day. That's now up to me as manager to sort out and they have been told in no uncertain terms that their performance at Telford wasn't good enough and it won't be tolerated at the club.

"But it's still pre-season, we are getting there. The players had a hard day 24 hours before the Telford match, and in some respects the games sometimes get in the way of the players' physical conditioning.

"As long as we are okay for Saturday - that's the big thing for us because that's when it counts."

Griffiths explained why midfielder Mark Hughes started the Telford match as a centre half alongside Kevin Roberts.

He said: "We were struggling a little bit at the back and Mark came in and did a job for us.

"We were trying a few things out and seeing some players, but it's all about our fitness levels at the moment and that's why some of the senior players had the day off.

"Results aren't massive for us at the moment - we want to be judged when the season starts.

"We are doing what we feel is best for the football club and hopefully the supporters can appreciate that. I'm sure they were a little bit disappointed about our performance at Telford, but I hope they stay positive and get behind us on Saturday."

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