Cameron Harper believes Carlisle United's encouraging performance against Salford City showed clear signs of the progress being made under Head Coach Rob Elliot, despite the Blues falling to a 2-0 defeat at Brunton Park.
Harper, who captained the side during the second-half, felt there were plenty of positives to take from the evening as the squad continues to adapt to a new style of play ahead of the Enterprise National League campaign.
He said: "I think you saw a lot of signs of what's going to come from this team as the season goes on.
"It was a decent enough performance. We had to work; the lads worked for each other, it was good."
Facing strong League Two opposition provided another valuable test for the Blues, with Harper believing the scoreline did not fully reflect the contest.
"Everyone could see the quality they've got. I don't know exactly how many chances they had, but they took two of them really well. Their striker has played in the Championship, so you've got to give them credit where it's due.
"Other than that, I don't feel like they had many clear-cut chances. It was a tough game, but I think it'll stand us in good stead as the season goes on."
United created several promising openings throughout the match, and Harper is confident the goals will come as the squad continues to develop.
He explained: "We got into the right areas, but the final pass, the final cross and the final shot just weren't quite there.
"But it's still pre-season. The ideas are there, we're getting into those areas, and the goals will come."
With just over a month under Elliot, Cameron says the players are beginning to fully understand the demands being placed upon them.
"It's obviously a bit of a change from the previous manager in terms of how he wants us to play, but I think you can already see the concepts on the pitch.
"He demands that we're hard-working, that we press, and how we build our attacks to get into certain areas to create chances.
"We had a lot of opportunities tonight, we just didn't take them."
Harper operated in a deep midfield role against Salford, something he was more than happy to do.
"It was tough work running-wise, but I don't mind it to be honest.
"I've played there before, and I'm just happy to be on the pitch. Wherever the gaffer puts me, I'll always give 100%."
The 24-year-old says he is enjoying working under Elliot and feels the squad is buying into the new ideas every day.
"I'm really enjoying it, I genuinely believe we've got a really good manager, and we've got really good players as well.
"You can already see, even in this last month, all the ideas coming together in training and in the games before tonight. You could see parts of it again tonight. Maybe not as much as the gaffer would've wanted, but it's slowly coming together, and I'm really enjoying it."
He also praised the impact of the club's summer arrivals, highlighting the importance of building a strong dressing room as well as a talented squad.
"They've settled in really well. They're good people.
"That's one thing the gaffer has spoken about, not just signing good players, but good people as well. They've fitted into the group really well."
Having worn the captain's armband after the break, Harper was pleased to take on the responsibility, while stressing there are plenty of leaders within the squad.
"It was good; there are quite a lot of lads who could easily have taken the armband.
"I try to talk as much as I can on the pitch. I've played a lot of games now, even though I'm only 24, so I feel a little bit more experienced than some of the other lads out there.
"It's great to see the fans and, when the season starts, it'll be a lot fuller. It was enjoyable to be back for the first one."
