City began their pre-season campaign against Danish side FC Midtjylland, and Brian Barry-Murphy spoke to the press after the Bluebirds fell to defeat against top opposition.
"I'm really pleased with the level of challenge we’ve faced." Brian began. "Last season we had a series of easier games; today we wanted to make it as difficult as possible from the start, and I think we achieved that.
"For us, it is the first game exposure our players have had, and because of the level of challenge we’ve faced I believe we will improve a lot quicker than if we had played an easier game. We learnt a lot more from it.
"So, I'm very pleased that we played this game, despite the fact that nobody wants to lose any game of football, and to lose to such a scoreline is always disappointing, but today is about getting the players in a position where we can kick on."
City played two separate XI's in the match, changing every player at half time, and gave minutes to several young Academy prospects.
"Every time we train there is always an opportunity for any player of any age to impress and try and stake a claim to play. It is a very competitive squad that we want to try and improve. We judge all the players individually everyday."
The Bluebirds head to Brian's home county for a training camp and second pre-season fixture against Cork City next week.
He continued: ‘We have a lot of work to do. Nobody is under any illusions about the amount of work we are going to need before we get anywhere near the season.
"That’s very exciting for us, because we feel as if we have a squad who can improve, and throughout the course of pre-season we hope to add to it and improve it, and by the time the first games come around we have a team that the supporters are again very excited to see start building.
"I'm really pleased to get back into it, and today doesn’t change anything. We are very clear on what we have to do and we are very willing to do it.
"We are very hungry and have a huge appetite to give the supporters a team they are genuinely excited to see again, and to see evolve and improve, and that will involve adding to the squad."