SLOUGH Town joint-manager Jon Underwood has explained the Rebels will continue to experiment with different tactics despite suffering a third straight defeat in pre-season, writes Rob Stevens.
were beaten at the hands of National League sides Eastleigh and Sutton United in their opening friendly matches before a
2-0 defeat to Bournemouth Under 23s.
Goals in the second-half from a trialist striker and substitute Jake Scrimshaw secured victory for the young Cherries at Arbour Park on Tuesday.
Slough used the match to trial a new shape and, although Underwood is not happy to lose again, he insists the club will not get bogged down by results this summer.
He told the Observer: "It was a great work out for us against a very lively side. Youngsters at a Premier League club are not going to be bad players.
"Bournemouth have just come back from a weeks training in Spain and they put out two sides virtually. It was a real test for us and we're not happy to lose our third friendly in a row.
"We have however been around long enough to know that so long as we can see where we need to be in a few weeks, and we believe that we will get there, then we're comfortable with it.
"We're not going to get bogged down by results. We've lost to two teams from the league above and some Premier League youngsters.
"We looked at a new shape which was important because we want to be flexible during the season and be able to play in different ways.
"There's no better test than trying a new shape that we basically worked out on a tactics board 10 minutes before the game against a team that probably trains on their own every other day.
"Our boys responded well and we learnt a lot. We are looking at players in different positions, shapes and formations and we're using these games to learn.
"Some of it is good and some of it's not so good, but it has given us stuff to go and work on in training."
Underwood continued: "With respect to the other teams in our league, I don't think we will see many come here and move the ball as quick as Bournemouth. Those lads were different to what we will face.
"It provided us with a real test to get organised defensively in that shape and we did pretty well on the whole. We created chances as well.
"Daniel Roberts was particularly lively in the first-half. He drew a great save out of their keeper, and both he and Francis Amartey should have scored when one-on-one, so we did create some good chances.
"I'm not getting bogged down at all by results. I've been in pre-seasons as a player and manager where you can win every friendly but then lose your first league game and visa versa.
"We will be quite happy so long as we stay injury free, get everybody to the right fitness levels, and improve on the things that aren't quite right at the moment."
Slough continue their summer preparations with a trip to Hayes & Yeading United, champions of the Isthmian League South Central Division last season, this Saturday (12.30pm)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here