We spoke to striker Georgie Kelly after our defeat to Rochdale.
We started by asking for Georgie’s assessment of the game, he explained: “It's tricky. It's not great. Not what we wanted.
“I felt like the intent was there. There's no lack of effort. Things just haven't really clicked, especially going forward in terms of creating chances and just getting used to it in terms of how we're playing, especially if we're playing with two bigger lads up top, how our style probably needs to change a little bit.
"We probably just haven't clicked yet, whereas they seem like a seasoned team. They've been together for years. The core of their team, their identity in terms of how they play, they've been like that for years as well.
“So you could see the difference in terms of how they were well-drilled. They knew what they were doing. We were still a little bit like cagey and unsure.
“But listen, it's not the end of the world, hopefully we can learn a whole lot from this now and start picking up and addressing issues now for Tuesday and then Saturday and then into the season.”
We weren’t at our best, but Rochdale played well. Kelly spoke further on our opponents, saying: “As I said, they were just really well organised and fluid in terms of how they play and their identity. That's half the battle a lot of the time. You can try as hard as you want and run, but when everyone's on the same page and things are smooth, it makes their game a lot easier.
“Listen, I felt like they were very, very lucky a couple of times that first-half. We nearly turned them over in their own box and we could have been one or two up. Then the whole game changes and we could win 3-0 and everything could be really rosy.
"I just wouldn't be looking into these results too much. But yeah, it was definitely a good enough test for us today. At least we got a bit of running in the legs, especially for me.”
We conceded just before half-time, speaking on conversations at the break, he stated: “Essentially, you address the system.
“I felt like first-half, we were pressing high, we were getting after them. As I said, it wasn't because of lack of effort. We were running, distances were high, they just cut us open at one of them chances.
"As I said before that, we could have been a couple up. They were very, very lucky at times and nearly overplaying a couple of times.
“Harrison nearly caught them out and turned them all very high up. Listen, we'll not dwell on it too much.”
Dan Butterworth netted our goal - a tidy finish. Georgie shared his perspective, saying:
“Yeah, it was a great finish, but really, you need to be creating more.
"I can't really think of any clear chances we missed today.
“You need to be creating five or six chances just to score one or two. Butts' is, to be honest, only a half-chance. He's one v one, it's a great finish.
“Obviously, that needs to be addressed. We need to try and figure out how we can unlock teams a little bit more in terms of crosses, in terms of semi-wide areas and different bits and pieces.
“But hopefully that'll come now. Of course, as you've said, it's not all about the result. It's about getting minutes in the legs for everyone."
Georgie started the game, playing the opening 45. We asked how he was feeling, following some time out through injury. He said:
“Yeah, good. I'm obviously very rusty. I haven't kicked a ball in six weeks, so it was good to get 45.
“That's as much as probably I could have managed. And then hopefully I'll try and build it now over the next few weeks to get myself there.
“Injuries have been a nightmare for me, but hopefully now I can kick on and have a good year and get fit.
“It's the small little bits that come last, little intricacies in terms of touching little bits of movement and stuff, but I still feel like I'm a little bit rusty. But hopefully now we can work hard in the next couple of weeks and I'll be near enough fresh hopefully come the season.”
The attacker has worked hard, often alone, to get himself fit. We asked about his pre-season, he responded: “It's been tough. When you're on your own, everyone else is fit and training.
“It's horrible actually. Everyone's gone outside and the sun's shining most days and you're sitting inside, whatever, on the bike or in the gym.
"It's not easy, but I've got over it now. I got over the worst of it and now I just need to stay fit. That's the goal now for the year, if anything.”
Young forward Freddie O’Donoghue was included in the squad again. It proved to be another top test for the second-year scholar, whose adapted well during his spell alongside the first team in pre-season.
"He's been good. He's been in amongst it. He's gung-ho.
“He runs and that's half the battle. You know, he's that age now, when you're coming up through youth team setups, you need to be gamey., you need to run, you need to be fully committed and he is.
"He's a great lad! Hopefully now he can keep picking up little bits and he'll get there in the end.”
230 United supporters made the trip to Crown Oil Arena on Saturday afternoon.
"They travel well. It's incredible for a club so far up north and so isolated, our away support is fantastic.
“Even at the end of last year, I couldn't believe it, some of the games we were relegated and they still travelled extremely well.
"It's a credit and it shows there's a real good core of a fan base there and we just need to now perform for them.
“I feel like if we can get going and get in a groove, there's probably no better club in terms of support and they'll back you no matter where you are. Hopefully now we can perform for them this year.”
In news away from football, Georgie’s girlfriend is currently in Paris, ready to compete at the Olympics.
We asked him to tell us a bit more, he said: “She's competing the day before our Gillingham game. Of course, I won't get to go, which is not ideal.
"She's in good shape. Hopefully all goes well. My family are all going over for me to cheer her on, on my behalf. Hopefully all goes well, fingers crossed.
The Blues travel to Gateshead on Tuesday night for their final away friendly of the summer.
“It'll be another real tough test. People kind of see National League teams and think, oh, they're not in the Football League. There's some really, really good sides and really good players there.
“There's very little in it at times, even in terms of budgets and stuff. Gateshead will be another good side.
"We came here today, we didn't underestimate these at all.
“We knew that they're a really good football side. They're well-drilled, good coach in Jim McNulty. It'll be the same on Tuesday night.
“It's going to be another tough, tough game. Hopefully now we can have a bit of a kick in the teeth and get us going. We can come out firing and create a few chances, score a few goals.
“It's another opportunity to get good minutes. I'm looking forward to it now.”
