Marvin Bartley is “extremely happy” with how his preseason has gone so far with Queen of the South.
The Palmerston manager has been able to get players up to speed and try some new things as well as cast his eye over potential new signings.
The South’s latest friendly was on Wednesday night against Gretna 2008 which they won 3-0 after a light training session in the afternoon.
He said: “I’m extremely happy with preseason so far. The application is the main thing and how hard the boys are willing to work and push their boundaries and carry out the drills we do in training.
“We were training earlier on today and they played a match in the evening and that only happens in preseason. It’s easy for players to be thinking they’re a bit sore because there will be some sore bodies and heavy legs in there before the game, 100 per cent, because I’ve seen the distances they’ve put in.
“There’s a science behind it but I need them to go out and play under duress and they did that today.”
Bartley was able to cast his eyes over his squad in Wednesday night’s win over Gretna.
Centre back Kyle McClelland should have scored in the fourth minute when he had a free header but it went just wide of the post.
A trialist at number nine had a moment to forget when he missed an open goal in the 23rd minute before the same player hit the post 16 minutes later and Lee Connelly skied his rebound.
Just before the hour mark left back Finlay Kennedy scored from a tight angle after a well worked move from Queens.
The Doonhamers scored their second in the 72nd minute when two trialists linked up with number 18 scoring from a few yards out.
That opened the floodgates and three minutes later Lee Connelly volleyed in a great goal after an assist from Kennedy.
Up next for Queens is a trip to Tannadice against Dundee United on Saturday.
Bartley said: “I was looking for players to come through the game uninjured and that’s always the most important thing in preseason.
“We were looking at a few other things, switches of play and things like that, and we got that. Could we improve on it? Yes. But it’s preseason and my main concern was players getting minutes and coming off the pitch because we’ve substituted them and not because they’re injured.
“He’s looking to change the style they are playing. It’ll be a really good test for the players. That’ll be the second team we’ve played in a league above us so it’ll be beneficial and good for the players.”
