Rob Elliot's Carlisle United squad got pre-season off to a strong start, comfortably defeating Queen of the South in a behind-closed-doors friendly.
Blues striker Georgie Kelly starred, finding the net four times in the first half as Elliot's side showed glimpses of potential and reflected the learning in the first week of training under the new Head Coach.
The game proved an opportunity to see Elliot's philosophy in match action for the first time, and he was pleased with what was on show.
He said: "I think the things we wanted to get out of it were just to see some of the concepts we've been working on.
"We definitely wanted to see the energy and the fitness, the out-of-possession especially, I think, is really important. I think a few of the goals did come from out of possession, which is good, so the lads really bought into it.
"Two clean sheets (in each half), which is always good. Scored goals, looked threatening in both halves, and it was a good start."
A forceful and often successful high press was a notable feature of the United performance, with a clear structure and high intensity hallmarks of the victory, something Elliot sees as crucial to future success.
"I think we need to make intensity part of our identity because if we can do that then we'll always give ourselves the best opportunity to win games because sometimes, whether it's the conditions, the opposition, it's not always going to be free-flowing but if we're solid, we're strong, we're aggressive and we have that intensity then we can make ourselves even better of a unit.
"What we don't want is when they get the ball, we take a step back, we take two steps forward.
"I'm not talking about stupid gung-ho, but good play is good play, and I always say to the players, if teams are going to get through our press, get through our shape and structure, make it be through good play."
Having been in training for just over a week, Elliot feels he has settled into the group and the club seamlessly, with a positive result early in pre-season, a solid start to his tenure.
"We've only been here a week, it feels like we've been here forever and not in a bad way. People are so friendly, the club's just such a brilliant club.
"There are so many people here who care about it, and it's great to see everyone buying in.
"What's really important to me is that the team represents the club in the right way and the way we want to be represented moving forward. It's been a good start, and the lads have bought into that."
