Manager Derek Adams says his side had a better structure in the second-half of their game against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
The Shrimps face Sky Bet Championship opposition in Stoke City in Round One of this season’s Carabao Cup, with Adams using this friendly as a gauge for that game.
“In the second-half we were much better, we continued to show good shape at times and we threatened a number of times, but I am really happy with the way some of our players have played,” he said.
“This team hasn’t played together many times, we have a new squad, it is important that they understand each other, this is the first time we have played at home, so it has been a good work out for us.
“We are going to play another Championship here in Stoke in the League Cup, so this has been a good test for that game, Carlisle on Saturday will be a different test as they will play in a style that many teams in League One will this season.”
The Shrimps found themselves 3-0 down at half-time after goals from Marcus Tavernier, Matt Crooks and Riley McGree, and the gaffer says Boro’s showed their quality on the night.
“I thought Middlesbrough played really well, they started the game at a really high tempo, they played the ball around, caused us trouble and deservedly won the game,” he added.
“They had a number of very good chances in the first-half and it was extremely difficult 30-35 minutes for us, we did change the formation to try and combat a few of their key areas and that helped after the break.
“You have to give them credit, their movement and rotations were excellent, they are a Championship side, they have had a good camp in Portugal and they have come back and played very well."