Steven Schumacher is ready for the real thing after seeing his side sign off pre-season with another win, writes Pete Oliver.
Wanderers’ 2-0 victory over Championship outfit Preston North End made it five friendly wins in a row.
Schumacher’s men kick off their League One campaign at local rivals Stockport County next Sunday and with a week to go on the training ground, the Whites’ head coach likes what he’s seeing.
“I think the lads have applied themselves brilliantly over the last six weeks,” said Schumacher. “We spoke from day one about putting in a real good shift as a team to get better, to defend as a unit and be a bit more organised and value the importance of defending.
“So, from that point of view, we've been good. We conceded two goals at Shrewsbury, which we were disappointed with, and we've managed to keep another clean sheet today against a really good championship team.
“I'm glad that the stuff that doesn't matter is over and we're ready to go into the season. We're happy physically with what the players have done and we're happy that tactically we look oaky.
“We've seen good signs from some of the new recruits that we've brought in. I thought Amario (Cozier-Duberry) and Thierry (Gale) were excellent today. Thierry was only on the pitch a couple of minutes and set the two goals up and I’m really pleased with Joel Randell getting a goal in a position we spoke about yesterday.
“We obviously know that we're still short on a couple of players, so we'll try desperately hard over the weekend to get that resolved and make our squad as strong as we can for Sunday.
“The intensity's going to be higher, there's obviously points at stake and we can't wait for it. As pre-seasons go, we're pleased. We can't get carried away, though. We gave up two big chances today, so there's still something for us to work on and be tighter with.
“But we get ready to go on Sunday. It’s a great start for us against a local rival who did really well last year, so we have to make sure that we prepare as best as we can for it.”
Wanderers’ win over North End came with two goals in four minutes just after Schumacher had made a handful of substitutions.
Cozier-Duberry followed up his winner at Hibs a week ago with a deflected strike to open the scoring before Joel Randall steered home a low cross from Gale.
Gale and Randell both came off the bench as Schumacher used 19 outfield players to keep his options open for the opener at Stockport, which could also see the involvement of midfielder Ethan Erhahon.
Wanderers’ latest signing didn’t feature against Preston after a couple of hectic days but will be ready for the start of the season and training on Tuesday, along with Charlie Warren who has been given the all-clear to play with a suitable strapping on his broken wrist.
“He (Erhahon) is fit and he's trained. He's played minutes for Lincoln,” Schumacher confirmed. “He had a couple of busy days on Thursday and Friday with medicals and signings and pictures and whatever. He didn't train with us, so he's done a little bit this morning with Walshie and Charlie Warren on the grass at the training ground, so he'll be ready to go on Tuesday.
“And I'm really pleased we've brought him into the squad. He gives us more competition in midfield. He's a really good player, experienced at the level, a good character and I'm sure he'll be a really good player for us.”
Watch the full post-match interview with the boss on Wanderers TV