Reserve team coach Richard Shaw could be forgiven if his reaction to defeat at the hands of QPR engendered a feeling of impending doom after the travails of last season. But after watching his side go down 2-1 against The Hoops, with Lewis Grabban scoring for The Lions seven minutes from time, Shawsy was in upbeat mood.
"It's difficult having to ring the manager and say we lost BUT... However, I was very pleased with our display against Rangers and we really could and should have won the game comfortably.
My only complaint is that we don't seem to be clinical enough in front of goal at reserve level. Apart from that, the attitude and effort was first class, something I couldn't always say last season.
It was an excellent game and a very good workout for the senior lads who are not playing regularly for the first team at the moment as well as the younger players. As always the result is not the most important thing at reserve level because it is all about having players ready for first team duty when required. But we are all competitive animals, me as much as anyone, so I want to win every game I'm involved in.
As most people know, we are not in a league this season, which means we can play games as and when we need them, hopefully against better opposition than we faced last season. If we can get the odd friendly against the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal, it will test our players far more and challenge them to raise their game." 

Team: Mildenhall, Smith, O'Connor, Mkandawire, Frampton, Hackett, Laird, Gallagher (McLaren), Grimes, Grabban, Marquis. Subs not used: Farmer, Franch, Adedipe, Rogers.