Positives and negatives but Ian Allinson content as St Albans City begin pre-season preparations

St Albans City’s preparations for the new Vanarama National League South season continued with their first pre-season friendly at home to Northampton Town and manager Ian Allinson is still happy with the way things are going despite the 4-0 loss.

Saints fielded a number of trialists as the boss finalises his squad and he will use the next week and the numerous games to do just that.

And speaking on a baking hot afternoon at a rain-parched Clarence Park, Allinson was content that his plans were coming together.

He said: “I was disappointed with the goals we gave away but they are all areas we can work on and I was really impressed with one or two of the trialists who showed they might be players for us in the future.

“But we need to see how we go. We’ve got four more games in the next eight days and we’ve got to have another look at these players before making a decision.

“Defensively we’ve got to improve on last year because we conceded too many goals.

“Some of the trialists tried a little bit too hard and there was a lot of flicking and twisting in what they were trying to show us.

“I would rather they just showed me a lot of hard work and endeavour and when they get the ball they try and move it quickly.

“We did create a lot of chances throughout though which was a good thing but defensively we still have a lot of work to do.

“That will come as the games come thick and fast.”

Allinson also revealed he still open to a possible tactical switch this season but that will more than likely be on a game-by-game basis.

“In certain games you have to play certain teams,” he admitted, “but we weren’t poor on the goalscoring front last year so we have to be careful we don’t undo all that hard work.

“If we can’t get two up front we maybe need to play with one and one, one up front and one in the pocket.

“What personnel that is I don’t know. We had four or five out there and they all looked sharp and bright but it’s so difficult to tell who well you’ve done against a Football League side.

“They were a big side, strong and powerful, but I still felt we caused them one or two problems.

“Zane Banton has had two one-on-ones and pulled them both wide of the post.

“So there are lots of positives, a few negatives and a few areas we have to go and work really hard on.”