Boss Mick McCarthy admitted that his side put in an under par display despite beating Barnet 1-0 in this afternoon's pre-season friendly at The Hive. David McGoldrick’s header and Scott Loach’s penalty save were the difference between the sides.

McCarthy said: “It was far from the best performance. I’m not going to stand here and tell you any lies about that. I thought they played very well, I thought they were excellent.

“I thought they passed it, kept it, made us run and chase. Loachy has had to pull a save off, and it was a good save, so that’s great for his confidence. But all in all it’s another day’s training. Another little bit in the bank ready for August 3rd.”

While he didn’t think his team were on song against the Bees, he felt they were much better in midweek: “I thought we were really good at Gillingham but I wasn’t waxing lyrical about it, was I?

“[I don’t get particularly concerned about performances at this stage] because throughout the season, through 46 league games we will play badly and win. We’ll play exceptionally well and get beat.

“Today, we didn’t play well, I thought they did, but we won the game. I know we’re playing against a Conference side, but I’m pragmatic about all that — you win the game, whatever you do, you win the game. And it’s just another little bit ready for the 3rd and a little bit of learning for the players and for us.”

New signing Frederic Veseli came on as a second half sub and McCarthy says he was delighted to add the former Manchester United and Manchester City man to his squad: “He’s only 20, there’s work to be done with him yet.

“Is he the finished article? I’m not sure, probably not, but there’s plenty of potential and he and Elliott Hewitt have got to fight for that right-back slot. Gives a bit of healthy competition.”

Photo: Action Images

BotesdaleBlue added 18:49 - Jul 20 More sensible down to earth reflection from MM. I just love the way he puts everything into perspective. I may be getting ahead of myself, but I do feel we have possibly the best overall management team (including the Academy) in the Championship now. It's almost certainly the most astute, looking at his superb free transfer dealings, with more to come hopefully. I have not looked for forward to a new season like this in years!

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Hamish1979 added 18:50 - Jul 20 A good day, I am reliably informed that Chopra is going to Barnsley in Monday. Things can't get any better!
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jabberjackson added 18:52 - Jul 20 competition all over the pitch that never happened even in the good old days our only options then were Robin turner if Mariner was injured, or Kevin Steggles if butch was injured this is one of the most exciting times to be a town fan, and i have been one for over 40 years!
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jas0999 added 18:55 - Jul 20 MM is the best manager we have had in ages. A good reflection of the game and clearly not going to get carried away!
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suffolkpunchdrunk added 19:00 - Jul 20 Hamish1979 - Tell us more!
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jas0999 added 19:02 - Jul 20 Hamish1979 - are you sure?! £18k per week and Barnsley are paying that or is it a loan - or is it a wind up!!
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essextractorboy93 added 19:13 - Jul 20 Not the greatest performance as Mick says but it was a good competitive friendly. Barnet were good for a Conference side. Cresswell was our stand out player, didn't put a foot wrong all game. Veseli had a decent 45 minutes.
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SouperJim added 19:21 - Jul 20 Hamish read the Berra story you clown, Merlin said he has had no interest in any members of his squad. Either he is lying or you're full of the brown stuff, and I see no reason why Mick would keep interest in Chopra quiet.
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AbujaBlue added 19:53 - Jul 20 Not expecting super performances now, the squad needs some time to gel. SouperJim - Learn some netiquette.
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bluemikey100 added 21:08 - Jul 20 barnsley have a strike force of scotland and chopra automatic promotion i reckon lol we win again and clean sheet while playin badly thats a sign of a good team
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daniel9624 added 21:11 - Jul 20 If Barnsley are indeed serious about Chops, it makes perfect sense for MM to keep quiet about it and allow things to happen without the complications of agents and other clubs making things more complex.
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saffronblue added 21:43 - Jul 20 Mick doesn't normally say anything until a deal is done, either in or out, he lets the journalists and fans speculate.
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kerryblue added 22:23 - Jul 20 It will be great to rid our club of that money grabbing scummer Crapra even Barnsley is too bloody good for him ,
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manualthetisfanclub added 23:02 - Jul 20 Reckon we still need somebody to get us more goals,just can't see where the goals are coming from mcgoldrick apart,just an opinion.
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muccletonjoe added 23:56 - Jul 20 2 weeks still to go , think we will have a good season without anymore additions , but we still need another striker to nail it. For many reasons it would be good news if chopra departed , but I am not convinced it will happen
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BobbyBlueLamb123 added 00:38 - Jul 21 If Chopra is still with us at the start of the season and he has put all his troubles behind him he could turn out to be a handy player for us But my gut feeling Mick will bring in a class striker on less wages from somewhere and the chop will go out on loan maybe or be sold I also think one more keeper and a couple of midfielders might be signed watch this space

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Walk_the_Wark added 01:43 - Jul 21 Can we all stop licking MM's ar@e please??? He's really not that good, and not Prem quality. We will end up doing another Wolves- is that what you want??? MM's a very limited man.
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Walk_the_Wark added 01:47 - Jul 21 Ps- Keep Chopra- he's the only quality we have
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Walk_the_Wark added 01:52 - Jul 21 Sad that we've come to get excited by MM. OK, jewell and keane were bad news, but MM aint Burley, and would probably manage tea boy under Robson.
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bigolconnor added 06:19 - Jul 21 Oooh dear. I'm walk_the_wark and I haven't had any rice pudding for desert. Now I'm going to play with with my barbie and ken dolls in my room alone again.
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itsalltootoomuch added 06:22 - Jul 21 Suggest 'walk the walk' goes walkies and remembers to buy a yellow and green scarf when he gets to the border.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:30 - Jul 21 While I don't agree with Walk the Wark - in fact I think the MM combination is the best we have had for some time - I think he has a point in that we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves here. We haven't won a single Championship match yet and we are very much in transition. Yes, things are looking good, but what it we start off badly? How soon will opinions change? For my part, I'm in it for the long run with MM, but I don't expect all roses come August 3rd.

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SouperJim added 08:40 - Jul 21 Abuja, I point out the obvious flaw in a "def info" claim, yet I'm the one with bad netiquette? Click the down arrow and I'll be back on Tuesday for my apology.
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Duncan added 11:51 - Jul 21 Optimism is good hopefully attendances will be up Portman road rocking again!!! Who cares if we go back down or just survive in the prem we will have been on one hell of a journey getting to the prem - cant wait
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Wickets added 11:55 - Jul 21 Must say i agree with Souper Jim, most on here must get fed up with these "def info" .
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