Eddie Howe says there is still plenty of scope for improvement ahead of Newcastle United's return to competitive action later this month.
That is despite a 5-0 rout of Al-Hilal in Riyadh last night with Howe knowing his players can get even sharper. Back in July, Howe spoke of the "Intensity" of the squad's work in Austria and Portugal.
And while the levels were not quite on par with those summer trips, he knows the players have not only worked hard but also delivered a fantastic performance in front of their Middle East audience.
Howe told Chronicle Live: "We have had three hard days. I don't think they have been crazy as in pre-season level. It has had a slightly different feel because it's only been two weeks since they trained normally and there hasn't been a four or five week gap.
"There have been three tough days and I think that showed in the performance. We were not electrically sharp last night, I think we needed the minutes. We will be better for it. I think the lads are in a good place but we still have time to get them sharp now."
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