Macca Talks About A Draw In Dumfries

Last updated : 29 July 2007 By Thetashkentterror

Blues manager Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey on Saturday evening as he gave his opinion on the 0-0 pre-season friendly draw at Palmerston Park against Queen of the South this afternoon, McDonald commenting :


" I thought everybody's legs were very, very heavy, I was quite pleased with the first half but obviously not with the second. I've probably worked them too hard while we have been away. Two penalties and I think they were just penalties as well, we've come out with a few positives to a certain extent. We've had a tough week and I really asked them to play 45 minutes, the first half I was quite happy with and the second half I wasn't. We've got through with no injuries though and we haven't conceded another goal which is excellent.

" He (Chris Lumsdon) has had a family bereavement and he missed three days training so that was the reason why he played the 90 minutes. Everybody has had their fair share and we worked very, very hard at St Andrews, the amount of work that we did only required 45 minutes work. We're still pleased with where we are at at this stage of the season, we've got another two weeks to go before Walsall and we'll get sharper and hopefully improve on all aspects of our game.

" I'll probably phone Gareth (Southgate) over the weekend or see if I can get in touch with somebody from Middlesbrough to see who they are sending. I would imagine that they'll send a strong team though, that will be great and if we get anywhere near the supporters who want to come and watch the game like they did against Newcastle then they will be seeing some fantastic play. Hopefully we can match what we did against Newcastle.

" They (Queen of the South) are a week ahead of us, their season starts next week. They kept the ball well and they moved it around but they couldn't breach us which is excellent, we wish them well for the start of their season next week. We're working hard and I think we looked heavy-legged to be fair, we've kept a clean sheet, they are the positives, everybody has got through another 45 minutes and no injuries which is excellent.

" He (Marc Bridge-Wilkinson) just jarred his knee along with Ged Dalton, he jarred his as well, Shaun Vipond has had a little bit of a thigh strain as well so we just left them out. We've used a few of the kids as well which is a good experience for them, we're pleased but not over-happy if you know what I mean. It's another clean sheet and we move on to the next game.

" We're still ongoing with the talks with players, I sound like a tape recorder. We'll see what happens, we've still got another two weeks before the season starts and sometimes it goes mad leading up to the last week I suppose. He (Joe Garner) is a Blackburn player, I think he played for Blackburn today, so we'll see how that develops.

" The lads will have tomorrow off but then we're back to work on Monday again. Let's not forget that it is still pre-season and we're still trying to work on their fitness which I think has been very, very good over the last three weeks. We just need that little bit of sharpness which we'll turn to over the next two weeks leading up to the game. "