Phil Parkinson felt his team’s draw with Vanarma National League North favourites AFC Fylde was an important step for his squad.
Nantwich striker Matty Kosylo scored in the 1-1 draw, which also saw both sides miss a penalty.
As Nantwich’s 2015-16 official squad photo was released (below), Parkinson took time out to reflect on how his team is shaping up.
Parkinson said: “I wouldn’t say it was an excellent performance, but certainly an improvement on the Morecambe game.
“The result was a big step in the right direction because Fylde are the benchmark in my opinion and where we went to be.
“In retrospect playing the likes of Crewe, Morecambe and Macclesfield have stood us in good stead for this game as we were right at it from the first whistle.
“We maybe caught them off guard with how good we were in certain aspects of our forward play.”
Parkinson has been impressed by several player performances, with the likes of Chris Smith really standing out.
And he feels the centre-back partnership of Jon Moran and Darren Thornton is looking more and more formidable both complimenting one and others games beautifully.
Parkinson added: “I know Chris Smith can play right back, he played there for Swindon, this makes him a valuable commodity now I can utilise him in two positions.
“Josh Gordon did really well at right back again and is learning this new position every game.
“I can see Josh becoming a fans’ favourite already, he leaves everything out on the pitch and that’s what people want to see.
“Jon Moran was a Colossus in the air at times, Darren Thornton is a real leader at the back and the pair are developing an excellent understanding of one and others game.
“I thought PJ Hudson did really well coming on, the best out of all the wide lads on the day, he was dropping into holes, picking up the balls doing all the things we been working on.
“If he manages to improve his fitness before August 15, he will be a serious contender for a start.”
Parkinson will be hoping the club can taste victory in their next pre-season encounter at Kidsgrove Athletic this weekend (August 1).
“Pre-season or not, when you get beat at a club like Nantwich it demands a reaction, and the lads certainly gave that.
“However, I let them know collectively and individually that the overall result and some performances were not good enough.
“I told them with the chances we created and the way we defended we should have won that game and some individuals are still not hitting the levels I expect of them.”
Parkinson also believes there are still positions up for grabs.
The players now have three games to cement their places in the starting 11 before the new Evo-Stik Premier campaign kicks off on August 15.
Saturday’s trip to Kidsgrove Athletic kicks off at 3pm.
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