McDonald On The Monkey Hangers Match

Last updated : 25 July 2006 By Thetashkentterror
Neil McDonald
United boss Neil McDonald spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria's Derek Lacey tonight as he gave his opinion on the 1-1 pre-season friendly draw away to Hartlepool. McDonald talking about the improvement that he has seen across the squad since their return to training at the beginning of July :


" I was really pleased with the second-half performance, we were getting to be too nice in the first-half and were just letting the opposition do what they wanted really. I changed it slightly because we were getting a little bit over-run in midfield I suppose, and we went almost man-to-man and that stopped them from playing. Then in the second-half, as I've done in the past, I've given them information on how to improve it and we've gone out and done it, which is fantastic, but we need to do that for 90 minutes and not just for 45.

" The fitness in the second-half was fantastic, we asked them to play a little bit further forward and squeeze on, as a unit they have done that and they've hopefully shown themselves that they are fit, and they are capable of pressing when everybody is ready. There is lots of competition for places, the squad isn't huge but it's big enough to put pressure on each other, as I said before, we had two games left, and they've got one game left now to make sure that they are in the team for the Doncaster game.

" I think if he (Simon Hackney) is going to play he does well in the centre, he's good on the ball, he can pass, he drives on with a lot of purpose, and I was very happy with his performance. They are all fighting for their places and it's another 90 minutes for everybody fitness-wise, and I think, hopefully, that you've seen an improvement on the team that has played tonight, and hopefully you'll see an improvement on the team that plays on Saturday.

" I think that probably the team I play against Sunderland has a 99% chance of starting against Doncaster. Hopefully Niall Quinn will bring a few extra supporters with him, I don't know whether or not he'll get stripped and he's a player as well as the chairman and manager then we'll see. The overall progression from every single one of the players has been fantastic from day one, and, as I say, we've got a very important ten days left before the season starts again.

" We'll still be working them hard and trying to get the best out of them, to get them to learn their rules and responsibilities, and the formation that I want to play will get better over the next ten days. I'm pleased with the response of the transfer-listed players, I've had players who've come into my room and said : "listen, this was the scenario with Paul (Simpson)", and I've said : "you've either done well with Paul, or Paul didn't like you, you've got a chance with me so give it your best shot", and that's what all of them have done really. "