Adam Murray delighted with Bolton Wanderers test

First half goals from Danny Rose and Krystian Pearce laid the foundations for an impressive win.

But Murray was more delighted with his side standing firm than with the actual result itself.

“It was a tough game, it was what we expected and we got out of it what we wanted,” said Murray.

Mansfield Town 2 Bolton Wanderers 1“Our shape was tested at times, which we wanted, we were put under stress at times, which we wanted.

“There were a few bits and bobs that we wanted to see answered, or questions that we can work on on the training ground.

“With all due respect to the opponents we have had up to now, we probably haven’t had the questions.

“We’ve probably had 70 to 80 per cent possession in the previous games so we have not been tested defensively and we came under some pressure today. I thought the boys did well in our first big pre-season test.

“The results don’t really matter to us, we just want to see the performances and make sure we get a clean bill of health.

And Murray says he is also delighted with the increased intensity levels during the current pre-season campaign.

“These last three weeks have probably been double the intensity of this time last year,” said Murray.

“The boys have gone into it probably a bit mentaly and physically fatigued, they have been working some long days so to get the performance they gave today, I was really pleased.

“We have worked hard and we do a lot of practical work, when you see things coming together on a matchday you start to believe and trust it works.

“It is just a little step on a long journey, obviously the concern for us would be the small squad and we have to be careful.

“We have said to the boys if there is any risk then get yourselves off, we can’t afford to take risks.

“Even though we have got a small squad it is a really tough position for me, I’ve got 20 players that are fighting to start against Newport.

“We have got three weeks left before the season starts, there is a lot of work to be done and a lot of shirts up for grabs.”

What did you think of the perfomance and how Stags are shaping up? Email [email protected] with your views