Despite loss, Wilkshire pleased with Wolves pre-season progress

The Wollongong coach watched his side fall 1-0 to Rockdale in a pre-season friendly, the end result of little importance.

The match was one his side largely controlled, the Wolves generating numerous chances in front of goal.

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That, however, was where the pre-season rust was on display, the strikers unable to find the back of the net.

In the end a long-range strike from Alec Urosevski broke the deadlock, the speculative shot late in the second half securing the Suns the win.

The goal was the sole blemish on an otherwise solid Wollongong performance.

"I don't like losing at any time, but I'm actually quite pleased with the performance," Wilkshire said. "We dominated, I saw some very good signs in what we want to do and how we want to do things.

"We were lacking with the end product, but overall it was a good performance. The back four did well, we looked good.

"We were just a bit off in the front third, we created, we got in good areas and sometimes made the wrong decision or the final ball just wasn't right. It's still early days, we're a month out, we have time to work on that."

The Wolves will continue their preparations for round one of the NSW National Premier Leagues competition with a trip to Newcastle next weekend.

There they will take on reigning Northern NSW NPL champions Edgeworth FC, a side now coached by former A-League star Michael Bridges.

The friendly is one of three the Wolves will play in the coming weeks as they prepare for a season due to commence back at Rockdale on Sunday February 28.

With less than a month to go before the stakes rise, Wilkshire recognises his side still has plenty of room for improvement. He remains happy, however, with their progress in recent weeks.

"I'm pleased with where we are right now. It's not often we lose that I can be calm, but I definitely saw the understanding and players understanding what we want to do and how we want to play.

"We still need to improve, we need to be more clinical. We've had this before, we dominate games, create chances but if you don't score, you end up copping one in the backside."

The coach will be forced to make a number of tough decisions throughout February, with all players fighting for a place in the starting XI.

It's a situation Wilkshire welcomes, with new recruits including Van Elia and Bilal Belkadi pushing the incumbents to improve their games.

"Everyone is putting their hand up and fighting for positions. I've got some tough decisions to make over the next few weeks.

"There are boys that are pushing, I was very impressed with those that came on in the second half and the way they performed.

"Everyone's got an opportunity to be there round one, I'm definitely not settled on my starting XI."