Dave Jones on Friday night was very satisfied with the pre-season progress made to date, culminating with the visit of Ajax in the Vansdirect Trophy and a performance to show we can live with big clubs on the field of play.

"For us it was a great exercise in discipline, shape and fitness," said Dave after the final whistle. "We were playing against a very good side who were going to keep the ball, so we had to play a way that we're probably not going to have to in the Championship, although we might have to if we pull someone from the Premiership in one of the cup competitions.

"It was a great exercise in discipline for us as a team and within that we played some good football and created one or two chances and against a side of Ajax's quality - it's good to see.

"The lads here have worked really hard and we've had to get through a really tough pre-season, because of the quality of teams we've played and it just shows you how far we've come."

The Vansdirect Trophy against Ajax came following a very positive Portugal tour and was the penultimate match of pre-season before Southampton next Saturday at Ninian Park. Dave was clear to point out the building process that continues behind the scenes, which also vitally includes retaining talent along with new acquisitions.

"Everything at the moment has a feel-good factor about the place and if we can see out our last game at Chasetown with no any injuries then it has been a very, very positive pre-season for us, regardless of what has been written about this so-called doom and gloom," he continued.

"The fans have a had a chance to see one or two of the new boys tonight; Ross McCormack looked sharp, bright and clever, Mark Kennedy played at left-back, we brought Miguel on and we swapped the centre-halves. Everyone has worked so hard this pre-season.

"Tom made a good save, his kicking is good, his handling is good, he only made one mistake when he came out to catch the ball and it flew over his head, and with Peter Enckelman pushing him as well it's a nice position to be in.

"I read somewhere that it's been a pre-season of discontent here, but we've kept the majority of our players which I think people have forgotten. We haven't got a bad squad and now the next stage is can we push on from here and can we challenge in our division to get out of this one."

Pre-season is primarily about gearing up the squad for full fitness levels, while also ascertaining the best fit for the starting eleven come kick-off on the opening day - with versatility a key aspect of the squad at Ninian Park.

"I've told the players today that we still have a week to go before I put eleven names on that piece of paper," said Dave. "What eleven it's going to be at the start of the season we'll know next week in training, so it's important for all of the players here because everything is still up for grabs. In my head I do have my starting eleven, but people can change that with that little bit extra in training.

"I think it's important for a football club to have players who are versatile and can play in several positions. You look at Kevin McNaughton who can play both sides, Mark Kennedy can play left-back, left-sided midfield, central midfield, Darcy can play full-back, centre-back and central midfield, Miguel can go wide-right, wide-left or full-back, so there are a variety of players that I think you need.

"It's a long season and when you pick up injuries and knocks it's important that you have good cover to come in and fill in because we didn't really have that last year with the lack of depth to our squad. We're trying to get to where we have 22 players with cover for each position but you've also got players who can go into another position and hold their own."