Matt Taylor believes his Bristol Rovers team came up just a 'little bit short' in their 2-0 pre-season defeat to Cardiff City.
The Sky Bet Championship side claimed the win over the Gas at The Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon, thanks to goals by Aarom Ramsey and Joe Ralls in each half, in a close-fought contest.
While the manager feels the quality of the opponents also perhaps showed, Taylor still wants to see more from his team.
"This was a massive test," he said. "I think Cardiff were obviously the best team we've played in pre-season and we were just a little bit short in a few too many areas today, but not far away from where we've been in relation to our league.
"They just came through certain moments of the game and certain areas of the pitch a little bit too often. So that might be, like I say, the quality of the opposition, but I still wanted the team to be as aggressive as we could be and, in fairness to us, we did win the ball back quite often. We just didn't quite capitalise on that and their goals were two outstanding finishes."
Defeat concludes a pre-season schedule that saw Rovers beat the likes of Yeovil Town, Portimonense and most recently Plymouth Argyle.
"I think a result like this grounds a few, myself included, because we've been so pleased with how well pre-season have gone," Taylor continued. "But then, in terms of the levels of our play today, they just got through us a little bit too often, even in tight areas they had quality and combination.
"But I still expect better in certain moments of the game. I still think in the messier moments, where the ball has dropped, I need my team to be tougher. That was my message to the midfield. All the midfielders came off today. I know Wardy was a little bit of injury prevention but we have to win more second balls than we did in that game."
With just a week to go until the 2024/25 Sky Bet League One season starts properly, Taylor admitted the most positive aspect was his squad's fitness situation, with only Ruel Sotiriou missing due to injury and Chris Martin suspended for the opening two matches of the season.
The depth in availability gives Taylor plenty to think about before Northampton Town visit The Mem next Saturday.
"I have to say, the biggest pleasing aspect is everyone seems fit and available," he added. "With the problems we had last season, testament to Tom Short and the new physio department and everyone involved in the club in terms of that, because we look fit.
"Now we've actually got options from the bench and within the squad. The biggest driver within that changing room has to be competition. There's 20 outfield players for me to choose from and that's a strong place to be."
