Blues boss Gary O’Neil felt his side’s 4-2 victory away against Union Berlin was a good final pre-season test ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign at home to Sunderland in a week’s time.

Town came from a goal down to lead 3-1 at the break as they stretched their winning pre-season run to four games, the latter three against sides from European top divisions, including today’s success against Bundesliga opposition which ended a short Berlin-based training camp.

“It was good, the lads worked hard,” O'Neil told TownTV. “Travel day Wednesday and then two good days training in really hot weather. Hot today as well, but they were good today.

“I thought we played well. Pleased with a win. Disappointed with the first goal, especially, just giving them an early lead can make it more difficult.

“Disappointed with that, that we fell asleep a little bit, but some good performances, some good stuff, lots of stuff that we’ve worked on coming out. A good final test and now we’re ready for the real stuff.”

Reflecting on scoring four goals, Jack Clarke, Emersonn, Dara O’Shea and Kasey McAteer finding the net with the skipper’s the pick of the bunch.

“I thought we were fluid, I thought we created a lot of chances,” O’Neil continued. “I thought we looked a threat. I thought everyone had a good role in attack, even [keeper] Kjell [Scherpen] with some of the build-up stuff.

“Centre-backs’ use of the ball was good, I thought the whole team showed a good understanding of what we’re trying to do, which helped us create.

“Good for Emmy [Emersonn] to get another one, Clarkey playing as a 10 got one, so a lot of good stuff, so I’m really pleased, good win and a good week’s work.”

Asked whether he had expected O’Shea to hit such a stunning strike, the Blues boss added: “No, but he’s got a great range of passing when we’ve used him in that little right-back position, he’s used the ball well. He uses the ball well from centre-back as well.

“We’ve worked hard on arriving in the final third with a lot of numbers and when we did Dara was up and it was a fantastic strike, and Kasey’s as well, to be fair, off his left foot, arriving at the back post. Good goals.

“But the level of the opposition’s about to go up. Premier League, Sunderland, Europa League team, so we’re not getting too carried away here.

“We know that this is our last pre-season friendly and it starts for real next week and we need to make sure we’re ready.”

The game was played in temperatures in the mid-thirties, which O’Neil says played a part in the tempo of the match and how he utilised his players.

“I think the extra heat meant that we didn’t try and get too many through 90,” he continued. “I think for the fitness guys, heart-rates and things like that would have been a lot higher than normal in this heat, so 70, 75 minutes is more than enough. We didn’t want to take too much risk.

“And it was good for the some of the guys off the bench to come on and still have an impact, so some adjustments. The game was probably a little bit slower because of the heat as well, we managed to keep the ball well and make sure we worked them hard, worked their legs.

“But it was a good afternoon and we got through it with no injuries, everyone leaves fit, so a good week’s work now ready for the start of the Premier League, which everyone is excited for.

“I’m sure the fans are excited, we’re excited in there, we’re ready to go. A bit of work to do this week and then let’s see how we can go on at home to Sunderland.”

The game saw new midfield signing Sasa Lukic make his debut following his move from Fulham, while Jaden Philogene made his first appearance of pre-season as a half-time sub, inevitably looking a little short on sharpness, while still causing a few problems for the Union backline and getting in a number of typical strikes at goal from the corner of the penalty area.

“Good for Sash to get his debut, I thought he was good,” O’Neil reflected. “He adds experience and knowhow and good quality, so it was good for him to be out there with the lads, getting to know relationships with each other.

“Good to get Jaden back, obviously, he was out for a while. Good for him to be back in and around the group. Looked sharp second half.

“Daizon [Maeda] did well first half as well on that side, so some good performances and, like I say, it feels like we’ve used the time in pre-season very, very well, but now the ultimate test is coming and it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

O’Neil thanked the large Town following which made the trip over for the game: “We’re going need them, I appreciate them coming out. I think there was maybe 850 of them today.

“Not easy travelling, coming away to support your team, so I appreciate them, they’ve been great, all of pre-season.

“I know some of the stadium’s been shut, so we’ve not been able to fill it in the home games. I’m looking forward to my first real experience with them on Saturday at Portman Road with an electric atmosphere and us making it as difficult as we can on the pitch and from the stands for the opposition. We’re going to need them with us.

“I appreciate their support and hopefully they’re as excited as I am, and we can attack this challenge together.”

Asked what he wants to see from everyone connected with the club in the week leading up to Saturday’s big game against the Black Cats, in their second season back in the top flight having finished seventh and reached the Europa League last term, O’Neil added: “I think we just need to keep the positive energy going.

“Everyone’s working their socks off pre-season, players, coaching staff, fans travelling coming to support us, the guys in the recruitment team trying to put together one of the biggest windows we’ve ever had.

“There’s been so much work that has gone on in such a small amount of time to try and get this together and we’re going to need everybody, everyone at the training ground, everyone in the stands, to make sure that we are a real force this year.

“Let’s all get together and let’s see what we can do against Sunderland and then Man United and Liverpool quickly follow.

“The challenge of the Premier League is… I don’t want anyone to be scared of what we’re about to go into. I think that’s the real message - that there’s no fear here of what we’re about to go into. We’re going to fully commit to what we want to do.

“We understand that it won’t always be enough and we won’t always get what we deserve, but we’re going to give it a real go every week and I want the fans with us every time we do that.”

Photo: Reuters